Friends, Lovers and That Terrible Thing

The beloved star of Friends takes us behind the scenes of the hit series and recounts his struggle with addiction in this heartfelt memoir. Funny and revealing, Friends, Loves, and That Terrible Thing delivers a powerful message of hope and resilience.

Foreword by Lisa Kudrow.

“Hi, my name is Matthew, though you might know me by another name. My friends call me Matty. And I should be dead.”

Thus begins the fascinating narrative of acclaimed actor Matthew Perry, who guides us through the intense and sensitive memories of his journey, from his childhood ambition to achieve fame to his struggle with addiction and his recovery after a life-threatening health scare. Before the frequent hospital visits and stints in rehabilitation centers, there was little Matthew, then 5, who traveled from Montreal to Los Angeles, juggling divorced parents; the 14-year-old, a nationally ranked Canadian tennis star; the 24-year-old, who landed the coveted lead role in the pilot of the much-talked-about, then-titled, series Friends Like Us … and much more.

In a powerful narrative—told in a candid, hilarious, and warm way that only he could—Matthew Perry talks about the fractured family that raised him (and that also left him to fend for himself), the desire for recognition that led him to fame, and the constant feeling of emptiness that wouldn't be filled even by seeing his biggest dreams come true. Matthew also details the peace he found in sobriety and how he feels about the ubiquity of the sitcom Friends , sharing stories about castmates and other celebrities he met along the way. Frank, self-aware, and armed with his signature humor, Perry vividly portrays his lifelong battle with addiction and what led him to that choice, despite having achieved so much—everything anyone could seemingly dream of.

Friends, Loves, and That Terrible Thing is an unforgettable memoir, at once intimate and illuminating—and a comfort to those struggling with sobriety. Painfully honest, moving, and yet incredibly funny, this is the book fans have been waiting for.