Matthew Perry’s Ridiculous FRIENDS Salary Explains His Net Worth: How Did the Chandler Bing Actor Went From Earning $22.5k Per Episode to an Insane $41 Million Salary in Season 10
Multifaceted American-Canadian actor Matthew Perry was most recognized for his portrayal of Chandler Bing, one of the six friends on the NBC television sitcom FRIENDS which was aired from 1994 to 2004. Over the years, he went on to star in numerous other movies and shows such as Fools Rush In, Almost Heroes, The Whole Nine Yards, 17 Again, and The West Wing.
Matthew Perry also showcased his vocal talents in the 2010 video game Fallout: New Vegas. Although the actor worked on several different projects that stood as a testament to his artistic versatility, most of his $120 million net worth comes from his work on FRIENDS.
Matthew Perry’s Salary Increased with the Progressing Popularity of FRIENDS
Matthew Perry embarked on his journey to become a professional actor at the age of 18 with his big-screen debut in the coming-of-age drama A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon, alongside River Phoenix. He originally wished to enroll himself at the University of California, but he had a change of plans when he was offered the role of Chazz Russell in Second Chance.
Neither of the six lead actors of FRIENDS were well-known when they were cast in the show. Each one of the six actors was paid $22,500 for every episode of the first season, which equated to a total of $540,000. Following the success of the show, the salaries of some of them were increased to $40,000 for every episode in the second season while others were still getting in the $20,000 range (via The New York Times).
Before the commencement of the filming of the third season, despite Warner Bros.’s attempt to secure individual contracts, the cast banded together and negotiated for their salaries to be at par with each other. Each one of them was paid $75,000 per episode. The fourth season bagged them $85,000 per episode.
The fifth season got them $100,000 per episode resulting in a total of $2.5 million and $125,000 for the sixth season. Before the seventh season, their renegotiated contracts got them $750,000 per episode for seasons seven and eight. Each cast member pocketed $1 million for every episode in the ninth and tenth seasons.
Matthew Perry Had A Very Deep Bond with His FRIENDS Castmates
Even after almost two decades since the release of its last season, FRIENDS continues to be one of the most beloved sitcoms in the world. The show has left a lasting impact on millions of people, including the lives of the cast members who did not just establish great net worths but also ever-lasting bonds.
While talking to PEOPLE for a cover story in 2021 around the same time as the release of FRIENDS: The Reunion, Matthew Perry revealed what his bond was like with the other costars, saying:
“The best way that I can describe it is after the show was over, at a party or any kind of social gathering, if one of us bumped into each other, that was it. That was the end of the night. You just sat with the person all night long and that was it.”
Matthew Perry charmed millions of people with his portrayal of Chandler Bing, known for his awkward jokes and amazing punchlines. The actor continues to live in the hearts of millions even after his death.
