Rosario Monachino
Matthew Perry’s fans are arguing that a 2006 drama was the late actor’s best performance – not Friends.
News broke on October 28 that Perry had died aged 54 after he was found unresponsive in his jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home.
Law enforcement sources have said no drugs were found at the scene, as per the Los Angeles Times.
Additionally, the star’s death is reportedly being treated as a ‘death investigation with no signs of foul play’.
At the time of writing, no official cause of death has been determined.
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Following the devastating news, many of Perry’s fans have looked back on his career in tribute and pointed out their favourite moments – particularly his countless memorable scenes as Chandler Bing in Friends.
However, others are arguing that a 2006 drama was the Fools Rush In actor’s career-high point and are even arguing that it is better than the hugely popular sitcom.
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip was a comedy/drama series about the production of a live comedy series – similar to Saturday Night Live.
Perry played a former writer for Studio 60 who took over the production for the show and ultimately became the head writer and executive producer.
The series has a stellar cast, with the likes of Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story), Bradley Whitford (The West Wing) and Amanda Peet, who had previously worked with Perry in The Whole Nine Yards.
The series was created by Oscar-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, who is best known for his work on The Social Network, The West Wing and Moneyball – among many others.
Despite the show initially receiving favourable reviews, the hype around the series died down as the first season progressed – leading to Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip getting cancelled before a second season could take place.
However, as fans look through Perry’s work, many have come across the short-lived series and have taken to social media to praise it.
“Loved this show! So underrated,” writes one person.
Someone else writes: “I loved this show and Matthew’s performance was very underrated. Some of his best work.
“It was a shame that it only lasted a year but maybe it was better because of that. A++ acting and writing all around.”
RIP Matthew Perry. The entire world slept on his best performance in Studio 60 but I will always remember how much I loved him in this show. pic.twitter.com/hCQpWUPnAi
— “Doc” Chris Mueller (@BR_Doctor) October 29, 2023
Another viewer adds: “There will be much melancholic nostalgia about Friends today, understandably, but for me, Matthew Perry’s greatest performance was his role as Matt Albie in Aaron Sorkin’s Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. He didn’t get enough recognition for this.”
“Even though he’ll be synonymous with Chandler and Friends, a real gem of a show with Matthew Perry was Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip,” a fourth fan pens.
“A great cast and razor-sharp writing from Aaron Sorkin – it’s a shame it didn’t quite find the audience it needed to go beyond its one season.”
Related Article: Matthew Perry Shared Haunting Final Post From Jacuzzi Before His Death
Speaking to Buzzfeed in 2015, Perry explained that his role in Studio 60 was the career change he needed after playing Chandler for 10 years.
He described it as ‘definitely the best work I’ve ever done’, but did acknowledge that it wasn’t an easy process for him.
Perry told the outlet: “Aaron Sorkin’s dialogue was the best writing I’ll ever have.
“But there were times when I had ideas, and they were sort of shut down.”
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