Matthew Perry

Biography: Born in the U.S. but raised in Canada, this handsome actor began appearing on TV as a teen and had already survived a number of short-lived series when he shot to stardom on the seminal sitcom Friends. During the show's 10-year run, Perry perfected his signature shtick—a combination of sarcasm and slapstick—and earned three Emmy nods for his work. He also launched a big-screen career, starring in a string of unfunny comedies (Serving Sara, Almost Heroes, Fools Rush In) and one amusing blockbuster, The Whole Nine Yards, which spawned a laughless sequel. Off screen, Perry was linked to a bevy of lovely ladies (Yasmine Bleeth, Julia Roberts) and publicly battled drug addiction and questions about his fluctuating frame. After Friends ended in 2004, he was back cracking wise as a cheeky late-night sketch-show writer in Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. But the series only lasted one season—bad luck that seems to be happening a lot for Perry and nearly all of his Friends costars, whoBorn in the U.S. but raised in Canada, this handsome actor began appearing on TV as a teen and had already survived a number of short-lived series when he shot to stardom on the seminal sitcom Friends. During the show's 10-year run, Perry perfected his signature shtick—a combination of sarcasm and slapstick—and earned three Emmy nods for his work. He also launched a big-screen career, starring in a string of unfunny comedies (Serving Sara, Almost Heroes, Fools Rush In) and one amusing blockbuster, The Whole Nine Yards, which spawned a laughless sequel. Off screen, Perry was linked to a bevy of lovely ladies (Yasmine Bleeth, Julia Roberts) and publicly battled drug addiction and questions about his fluctuating frame. After Friends ended in 2004, he was back cracking wise as a cheeky late-night sketch-show writer in Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. But the series only lasted one season—bad luck that seems to be happening a lot for Perry and nearly all of his Friends costars, who have yet to find box-office or small-screen gold.… Expand