LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: ‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry died on Saturday, October 28, 2023, in an apparent drowning incident. He was discovered unresponsive in a jacuzzi in his home, TMZ reported.
Perry appeared in several movies and shows in his acting career, including ‘Fools Rush In,’ ‘The Nine Whole Yards,’ and ‘The Odd Couple,’ however, he was best known for his iconic role as Chandler Bing in the American sitcom ‘Friends’ that aired for 10 seasons, from 1994 to 2004.
As Perry’s fans mourn his passing all over the world, here is a list of some of his most iconic moments in ‘Friends.’
1. Chandler Bing’s blind date with Janice
Season 1, Episode 14 “The One with the Candy Hearts” was one of Matthew Perry’s earlier iconic scenes in ‘Friends,’ where he is set up on a blind date with his old flame, Janice, the “oh my god” Janice, played by Maggie Wheeler.
This entire episode was carried by Chandler’s reaction to finding out that he was set up on a date with Janice, and despite not wanting to, he stayed for the date, for his best friend and roommate, Joey Tribbiani, played by Matt LeBlanc.
2. Chandler Bing handcuffed by Rachel Greene’s boss
Season 4, Episode 3, “The One with the ‘Cuffs” although the iconic moment was right there in the title of the episode, nothing could have prepared the viewers for what was to come. After Chandler dates Rachel Greene’s (Jennifer Anniston) boss, despite her efforts to not make it happen, he is tied to her office, quite literally.
After a few kinky escapes, Chandler finds himself handcuffed by Rachel’s boss, Joanna, played by Alison La Placa, in her office as she leaves for a meeting. Chandler’s hopes rest on his friend Rachel, who only ends up handcuffing him…again.
3. Chandler Bing ends up in a box
If one thought being handcuffed was bad, only a few episodes later, Chandler ends up in a box, in Season 4 Episode 8, “The One with Chandler in a Box.” In this episode, Joey ends up extremely upset with Chandler, after Chandler kisses Joey’s girlfriend.
In order to make amends, Joey suggests Chandler spend some time in a box, alone with his thoughts and mull over what he did. What made for an excellent apology, was also one of his most iconic moments, despite being in a box.
4. Chandler Bing gets stood up naked
Season 2, Episode 13 “The One after the Super Bowl: Part 2” has a new kind of surprise for Chandler Bing, who reconnects with a girl from his past, Susie Moss, played by none other than Julia Roberts.
As things get hot and heavy between Susie and Chandler, she leaves him naked in just some underwear, all alone in a bathroom stall, as payback for the fourth grade, when Chandler lifted Susie’s skirt, and all the kids laughed, and she was “Susie underpants” till 18. Luckily, Joey to the rescue, but it was one of Chandler’s most embarrassing moments in 10 seasons.
5. Chandler and Monica’s proposal
Season 6, Episode 25, “The One with the Proposal: Part 2” Now, while Chandler thinks his relationship with Monica Geller (Courtney Cox) is in jeopardy, things aren’t quite as they seem to Chandler.
This season finale of season 6, turned out to be one of the most emotional moments of the entire sitcom, where Monica proposes to Chandler, and they bring to life one of the best examples of the friends to lovers to life partners trope in American film and television.
6. Chandler in an ATM vestibule
Season 1 Episode 7, “The One with Blackout” had everyone focussed on Ross (David Schwimmer) and Rachel’s story that was only just beginning, but when the lights go out, Matthew Perry delivers one of the best flirty and awkward performances as Chandler Bing.
Chandler finds himself stuck in an ATM vestibule with model Jill Goodacre, who played herself in this episode of ‘Friends.’ While all of Chandler’s friends were at home, lighting candles, he was living his best and awkward life with Goodacre.
7. Chandler Bing or Chanandler Bong?
Season 4 Episode 12, “The One with the Embryos” goes down as one of the best episodes in ‘Friends’ history, and while the focus is on Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) potentially getting pregnant, and an intense game between Chandler and Joey versus Rachel and Monica, Matthew Perry manages to steal the show.
At this point, Chandler was a fan favorite, and this episode shed light on how despite a crowded episode, he stood out with some of the greatest one-liners and expressions, and of course, his tv guide name, “Miss Chanandler Bong.”
8. Chandler and Phoebe…kiss?
Season 5 Episode 14, “The One Where Everyone Finds Out” had the big revelation where everyone finds out about Monica and Chandler, who tried their hardest to keep their relationship a secret. While this episode had several iconic moments, Lisa Kudrow and Matthew Perry stole the show.
Phoebe tries her best to seduce Chandler, to try and get him to admit the secret, but Chandler wasn’t ready to back down, until he was. However, this made for one of the funniest scenes of all time, all thanks to Chandler’s awkwardness.
9. Chandler can’t smile
Season 7 Episode 5, “The One with the Engagement Picture” was all about one person, and his awkward smile when in front of a camera, Chandler Bing. Although Matthew Perry had a gorgeous smile until season 7, and after, it wasn’t the case when his beloved character was in front of a camera.
Monica tries her hardest to her fiancé to smile for the camera, to be able to get an engagement picture, but Chandler, or his awkward smile doesn’t budge. Ultimately, Monica ends up posing with Joey for the engagement announcement instead.
10. Matthew Perry’s last line on ‘Friends’
Season 10, Episode 17 “The Last One: Part 1 and 2,” was a bittersweet moment for everyone, but this episode was made all the more special by the one and only, Matthew Perry.
Chandler Bing officially got the last line in the last episode of ‘Friends’ in 2004, or more like the last word. When Rachel asks the gang if they could get some coffee, Chandler spruces up an emotional scene with some comedy and asks, “where?”
