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Matthew Perry may have become a fan-favorite as Chandler Bing, but he didn’t rise to sitcom royalty alone. WhileFRIENDSwas already a hit, there was one co-star who unknowingly paved the way for Perry’s whopping $30M payday. Perry’s comedic timing was legendary, but sometimes even the funniest guy in the room needs a little boost.
Behind the scenes, one particular friend gave him a crucial assist, proving that teamwork really does make the dream work—even when it comes to negotiating a multi-million-dollar contract.
David Schwimmer’s Power Move That Earned Matthew Perry a Cool $30 Million onFRIENDS
In the world ofFRIENDS, both on-screen and off, loyalty was everything. WhenMatthew Perry opened up that he owes David Schwimmer, he wasn’t kidding. The late actor credited his co-starDavid Schwimmerfor playing a massive role in changing theFRIENDScast’s fate.
Back in the early seasons, Schwimmer—alongsideJennifer Aniston—set the wheels in motion for an unprecedented move that transformed their paychecks. He revealed,
We had David’s goodness, and his astute business sense, to thank for what we had been offered. I owe you about $30m, David.
TheFRIENDScast started at $22,500 per episode in Season 1, but Schwimmer and Aniston’s rising popularity as Ross and Rachel quickly gave them a pay bump by Season 2. But instead of cruising solo with their bigger bucks, Schwimmer had a game-changing idea. He suggested negotiating as a united front so that the entire cast could secure equal pay.
It was a move that defied industry norms back then, with Schwimmer and Aniston even agreeing to take a cut to lift their fellow castmates. Matthew Perry highlighted this selfless act in his memoir,Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing. He asserted,
David had certainly been in a position to go for the most money, and he didn’t. I would like to think that I would have made the same move, but as a greedy 25-year-old, I’m not sure I would have. But his decision served to make us take care of each other through what turned out to be a myriad of stressful network negotiations, and it gave us a tremendous amount of power.
Thanks to this solidarity, by Season 8, the entire cast was banking $1M per episode! That level of unity wasn’t just a paycheck boost; it set theFRIENDSapart. They remained tight-knit, weathering the highs, lows, and even staging interventions when Perry struggled with addiction. TheFRIENDSfamily stood strong, both on-screen and off, through thick and thin.
Matthew Perry’s Estate Settles Debts, Millions Headed to His Family
Matthew Perry’sestate has officially settled its debts, according to reports byIn Touch. Perry’s longtime manager, Lisa Ferguson, who’s also the executor of his estate, confirmed that the actor’s assets total $1.59M, and all outstanding liabilities have been resolved. With no creditor claims filed, Ferguson’s now looking to close the probate case.
The beneficiaries include Perry’s family—his parents, half-siblings, and even his ex-girlfriend, Rachel Dunn. Ferguson requested court approval to finalize the estate, including compensation for her services. Perry’s assets are securely held inThe Alvy Singer Living Trust.
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WatchFRIENDSon Max & Apple TV.
Heena Singh
Editor | Former Senior Writer
Articles Published :1457
Heena Singh is a Editor at FandomWire, spent the last two years making waves in entertainment journalism. With a knack for digging up blockbuster celebrity scoops and an uncanny nose for the latest buzz, Heena’s articles bring a fresh and fun perspective to life. When she’s not conquering writing challenges, you’ll find her curled up in bed, peacefully sleeping.
