Matthew Perry's sister has spoken publicly about the "wrenching" moment his Friends co-stars came face-to-face with his casket at the late actor's private funeral.
The emotional revelation features in a new three-part Netflix documentary series exploring the life and legacy of the beloved sitcom star.
The One About Matthew Perry will look back at the actor's rise to fame as Chandler Bing, as well as his personal struggles with addiction. The documentary premieres globally on Netflix on Tuesday, October 27 — one day before the third anniversary of his death.
Perry's Life and Career
Perry starred in all 10 seasons of the hit sitcom, which ran from 1994 to 2004 and followed six friends living in New York. His portrayal of the sarcastic and quick-witted Chandler made him a household name.
The actor died aged 54 in October 2023. His death was ruled an accident, caused by the acute effects of ketamine.
The three-part documentary series is directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Mary Robertson and features contributions from Perry's family, including his sister, Mia Perry Bowick. It will also draw on family archives, home videos and photographs to explore his life beyond his best-known role.
What The Documentary Explores
The three-part series will explore Perry's journey from aspiring actor to international star, alongside the personal challenges he faced away from the spotlight.
Featuring accounts from his sister and those closest to him, the documentary aims to offer a more personal portrait of the actor, drawing on previously unseen family material.
Notably, the five remaining Friends cast members collectively declined to take part in the production, allowing his family and close friends space to share their observations about his life.
Mia Perry Bowick's Revelations
The documentary features an extensive interview with Perry's sister, Mia Perry Bowick, a psychotherapist, author and speaker, as she reflects on her brother's life, as well as family footage.
Ms Bowick reveals the massive scale of her brother's battle, stating that he spent $7 million trying to get sober to highlight how seriously he treated his disease.
Heartbreakingly, she reveals the moment at Perry's funeral when his friends castmates came face-to-face with his casket. She said: "I hadn't seen them in easily 20 years. [Jennifer] Aniston was the first one of them to come up to me and give me a huge hug. But, they all did.
"And then, all five of them walked up to the casket holding hands and stood around him, crying."
Speaking to Netflix's Tudum, Bowick described the pain of revisiting her brother's legacy. She said: "It's taken time for me to feel ready to share these memories and what it was like to love Matthew through all the complexity of his life — to see him as a whole person, not just as Chandler, and not just as someone who struggled with addiction.
"As his sister, he shaped who I am today, the person I strive to be, and the work to which I've devoted my life.
"I hope this series gives everyone who loved him, whether personally or from afar, a deeper appreciation for who he truly was, and the legacy he leaves behind."
Production Details
The series is directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Mary Robertson and produced by Maxine Productions, a division of Sony Pictures Television.
The executive producers are Robertson, Lisa Kalikow, Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman. Lora Moftah serves as co-executive producer, while Jessica Call is a producer.
Robertson is known for directing the hit investigative docuseries Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV — and she launched the project under her own Maxine Productions banner. She revealed her interest in documenting Perry's life was sparked after reading his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, in a single day. Robertson admitted she was immediately struck by Perry's raw honesty and humour as he shared his story.
The One About Matthew Perry comes to Netflix on October 27.
