The news of Matthew Perry’s passing at the age of just 54 has left everyone in shock; not least fans of his iconic show Friends, who even almost two decades after the premiere of the finale episode of the sitcom fondly remember every joke and sarcastic quip from his Chandler Bing.
For 10 seasons, Perry – despite battling drug addiction and undergoing rehab behind the scenes – kept portraying the hilarious Chandler to the tee. As such, it’s only appropriate to remember the actor’s most hilarious and strange tales fans have had the pleasure of listening to over the years. In particular, let’s turn the clock to the time he revealed his interaction with Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau which might have played a big role in the latter’s career.
How Matthew Perry Potentially Helped Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Matthew Perry‘s Chandler Bing frequently used his sarcasm to hide his insecurities in Friends which often led to funny sequences in that iconic Manhattan apartment. Turns out, the young Perry was a lot more aggressive when it came to dealing with his insecurities.
During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel‘s Jimmy Kimme Live in 2017, the actor, who held dual citizenship between the U.S. and Canada, revealed he shared a playground rivalry with a kid named Justin Trudeau, who eventually went on to become the Prime Minister of Canada. Both Perry and Trudeau attended Rockcliffe Park Elementary. He recalled:
“I was reminded of this – my friend Chris Murray who was also in the fifth grade – we actually beat up Justin Trudeau. We both beat him up. I think he was excelling in a sport that we weren’t, so it was pure jealousy.”
Like his Friends character, Perry was certainly an expert at making every situation light-hearted with his remarks. This while he made everyone laugh by adding that he believes that playground fights did play a part in pushing Trudeau to rise above the situation and eventually become the Prime Minister of Canada.
What Justin Trudeau Said About Matthew Perry Following the Actor’s Death
To be fair, being the son of Canada’s 15th Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau must’ve influenced Justin’s decision to go into politics a lot more than the beating from Perry.
Regardless, despite the childish tussle – which everyone experiences during their schooldays – Trudeau remembers his encounter with Perry pleasantly. Following the unfortunate development, he expressed his shock and talked about his time in the schoolyard with Perry on the social media platform X.
Matthew Perry’s passing is shocking and saddening. I’ll never forget the schoolyard games we used to play, and I know people around the world are never going to forget the joy he brought them. Thanks for all the laughs, Matthew. You were loved – and you will be missed.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) October 29, 2023
Apart from Trudeau, Maggie Wheeler, Paget Brewster, and Warner Bros. – the production company behind Friends, among others paid tribute to the much-loved actor. The lead cast of the show has yet to publicly comment on his passing.
Read more: 5 Underrated Movies of Matthew Perry That Every FRIENDS Fans Must See
