Friends Director on Why Matthew Perry Made the ‘Perfect’ Chandler Bing: ‘He Was Inventive’

Friends director James Burrows remembers Matthew Perry as an “inventive” actor and comedian.

The longtime TV director and producer, who directed the pilot episode of the popular sitcom, recalled in an interview for TODAY that Perry had a certain comedic spark in the way he would play his character, Chandler Bing.

Burrows said his first impression of the actor was “Wow”. The director continued: “We read at the table. Matthew had a certain way of spinning a line.”

“He was inventive with the way he made the line,” Burrows added of Perry.

“The One With the Soccer Ball,” Episode 6 — Pictured: (L-R) Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing, Courteney Cox Arquette as Monica Geller.

Photo Bank Gary Null/NBCU

Burrows, who also directed the episodes Will & Grace and Frasier and co-created and produced Cheers, told TODAY that Perry “was very funny” and “a little weird” on set – something very similar to how his character is also portrayed on the show.

“It was a perfect, perfect match,” he remarked.

Burrows said one of his favorites Friends episode with Perry was “The One with the Blackout,” in which Chandler was stuck in an ATM lobby with model Jill Goodacre. In one scene, Chandler seemed to grow increasingly desperate as he tried to tell his friends about his plight.

“His facial expressions were incredible and Matthew, [we] you could always cut his face,” Burrows said of directing the season one episode. “He was always aware that he was always in front of the cameras, even though he didn’t speak.”

Matthew Perry Friends Costars Speak Out After His Death: ‘We Are All So Completely Devastated’ (Exclusive)

Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani, Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing, Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay, Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green, Courteney Cox Arquette as Monica Geller, David Schwimmer as Ross Geller shown in the episode “The One with Phoebe’s Dad.”.

Alice S. Hall/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

The director recalled that Perry had such talent, which makes his death even more painful.

“It’s so sad,” an emotional Burrows shared. “We’ve been so proud of him over the last few years that he’s made a remarkable recovery.”

He described Perry’s loss as the loss of a family member. “I texted the girls the day we found out and they were devastated,” he said. “It’s a dying brother.”

However, Burrows said he ultimately hopes Perry will be remembered “as a wonderful actor, a funny man and a dear friend to many.” He added: “I wish he was here.”

Matthew Perry was in ‘extremely good spirits’ the day before his death, says ‘one of the last people to speak to him’

Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay, Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani, Courteney Cox Arquette as Monica Geller, Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing, Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green, David Schwimmer as Ross Geller in ‘Friends’.

Reisig & Taylor/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty

The actor was found dead at the age of 54 in his home in Los Angeles on Saturday. TMZ reported that sources said emergency services were called to the residence for a cardiac arrest and no illegal drugs were found at the scene.

In addition, the house received the sound of an ambulance mentioning “drowning”.

His Friends co-stars – Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer – released a statement on Tuesday saying: “We are all so completely devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than co-stars. We are family. There is so much to to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.”

We will say more over time, as and when we can, the press release states. “For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends and everyone who loved him around the world.”

Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani, Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay, David Schwimmer as Ross Geller, Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing, Courteney Cox as Monica Geller, Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green in the first season of “Friends.”

Reisig & Taylor/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

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Series co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane, as well as executive producer Kevin Bright, also released a joint statement on Sunday.

“We are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by the death of our beloved friend Matthew,” they wrote. “It still seems impossible. All we can say is that we feel blessed to have had him as a part of our lives. He was a brilliant talent.”

A statement from Kaufman, Crane and Bright continued: “We will always cherish the joy, the light, the dazzling intelligence that he brought to every moment — not only to his work, but to his life. He was always the funniest person in the room. More than that, he was the sweetest, giving and selfless heart.”

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