Matthew Perry Parents: The Loving Team Behind Chandler Bing
Fans of Friends and old Hollywood in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Brazil, and India still talk about Matthew Perry’s funny lines and sad end. Matthew Perry Parents John Bennett Perry and Suzanne Morrison gave him a home full of showbiz dreams and warm hugs. Born in 1969 in Williamstown, Massachusetts, Matthew grew up with a dad who sang on TV and a mom who worked in Canada. They split when he was one, but stayed close for him. This story looks at their lives, jobs, and how they helped Matthew shine on screen and in heart.
Who Are Matthew Perry Parents John and Suzanne?
John Bennett Perry came into the world on January 4, 1931, in Minnesota. He grew up in a big family with five sisters. John loved music from young days. He sang in choirs and played piano. In the 1950s, he joined the U.S. Navy. There he learned to act and sing for shows. After service, John moved to New York for stage work. He landed small TV parts in the 1960s. By the 1970s, he starred in soap operas like Knots Landing as a doctor. John is tall at 6 feet 2 inches, with blue eyes and a kind smile. He loves golf and fishing in quiet spots.Suzanne Morrison, born in 1941 in the USA, chased acting too. She went to school for theater in California. Suzanne got roles in commercials and TV. In the 1960s, she appeared on shows like The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Her big break was modeling for magazines. Suzanne has green eyes and long brown hair. She is 5 feet 7 inches and likes to read books in the sun. Later, she worked as a press agent in Canada. There she helped stars with news and photos.John and Suzanne met in the late 1960s on a TV set. They fell in love over shared laughs and dreams. They married in 1968 and had Matthew in 1969. Life was happy but busy with acting jobs. They split in 1970 when Matthew was a baby. But they stayed friends with him. John moved to LA for work. Suzanne took Matthew to Ottawa, Canada, for her job. They shared holidays and calls. This split made Matthew learn to love both homes.
Matthew Perry Father John Bennett Perry’s Life and Work
John Bennett Perry built a long career in TV and film. After Navy days, he joined acting classes in New York. His first big role was in 1967 on the soap opera Another World. He played a young lawyer for two years. Fans loved his charm. In 1975, John joined Knots Landing as a handsome doctor. The show ran for 14 seasons. He stayed for 100 episodes. John sang in episodes too. His voice was deep and sweet.In the 1980s, John did movies like Magnum P.I. with Tom Selleck. He played a funny sidekick. John also starred in Fiddler on the Roof on stage. He toured the USA with the play. In the 1990s, he appeared on Murder, She Wrote with Angela Lansbury. John worked steadily into the 2000s. His last role was in 2018 on Days of Our Lives. Over 50 years, he had 150 credits. John won fans for his warm roles.
As a dad, John saw Matthew often. He flew to Canada for birthdays. John took him to baseball games in LA. When Matthew got sick as a teen, John helped with doctors. He said in a 2023 interview, “My boy was my light.” John remarried twice. His second wife, Debbie, gave him stepsons. John lives in California now. At 94, he golfs and watches old movies.
Matthew Perry Mother Suzanne Morrison’s Story and Career
Suzanne Morrison chased lights early. Born in 1941, she acted in school plays. She moved to Hollywood in the 1960s for TV work. Suzanne landed spots on The FBI and Gunsmoke. She modeled for Ford Agency too. Her face smiled from magazine pages. In the 1970s, Suzanne met Keith Morrison, a news writer. They married in 1981. Keith became Matthew’s stepdad. He is known for Dateline NBC stories.Suzanne worked as a press agent in Ottawa. She helped Canadian stars with photos and talks. She raised Matthew with books and hugs. When he moved to LA at 15 for acting, Suzanne worried but let him go. She visited sets and cheered. Suzanne faced hard times when Matthew fought addiction. She flew to rehabs and held his hand. In her 2024 book notes, she wrote, “My son taught me strength.” Suzanne is 83 now. She lives in Canada with Keith. They walk parks and read news.Suzanne’s job shaped Matthew. He learned to smile for the cameras from her. She took him to theater shows. Suzanne loved jazz music. Family dinners had stories from her acting days. She remarried Keith, who brought calm. The family had holidays in Florida. Suzanne’s love kept Matthew going through dark times1.
Matthew Perry Family: Love Through Ups and Downs
The Matthew Perry family is close even with miles between. Matthew had sister Emily from John’s side. He called her “sis” in letters. Stepdad Keith joined in 1981. Keith wrote news but acted like dad. He took Matthew fishing in Canada. The family split homes – LA with John, Ottawa with Suzanne. Matthew flew back and forth. He said in his 2022 book Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, “My parents loved me fiercely.”Hard times tested them. Matthew’s addiction started at 14 with pain pills. Matthew Perry’s parents worried sick. John drove to meetings. Suzanne called doctors. In 2018, when Matthew almost died, they sat by his bed. Family therapy helped. They talked open about pain. Emily and Keith hugged him too. Wins came too. Matthew’s Friends role in 1994 made them proud. John watched episodes with popcorn. Suzanne clipped news.Today, the family remembers Matthew with smiles. In 2023, they had a small party for his birthday. John sang old songs. Suzanne shared photos. Keith wrote a note: “You made us laugh and love bigger.” Their bond shows family heals.
How Matthew Perry Parents Shaped His Funny Side
Matthew Perry’s parents gave Matthew his spark. John’s acting taught timing. Matthew watched dad on Knots Landing. “He made lines sing,” Matthew said in a 2019 podcast. John took him to auditions. He said, “Fail funny, kid.” Suzanne’s press work showed charm. She taught smiles for cameras. “People love real people,” she told him.Canada life with Suzanne built grit. Cold winters meant indoor laughs. Keith’s stories added wit. Matthew copied jokes at school. LA with John brought showbiz buzz. He saw stars at parties. Addiction hid the funny, but family pulled him back. In rehab, John visited weekly. “You’re my star,” he said. Their love made Chandler Bing real – sarcastic but sweet.
Challenges Matthew Perry Parents Faced as a Team
Matthew Perry’s parents hit bumps but held on. The 1970 split left Matthew sad. He flew planes alone at 15. John missed some birthdays. Suzanne felt guilty for moving. Money worries them – acting pays slowly. John did commercials for cash. Suzanne worked extra jobs.Matthew’s health scared them most. At 18, pancreatitis hit. Parents rushed to hospitals. Addiction took 30 rehabs. John sold cars for help. Suzanne sold jewelry. In 2023, drowning news broke hearts. They grieved together. “We lost our boy, but keep his light,” Suzanne said in a statement2.
Legacy of Matthew Perry Parents in His Memory
At 55 when he passed in 2023, Matthew left a big mark. Matthew Perry’s parents live on through it. John, 94, acts small roles and speaks at events. He shares Matthew’s jokes. Suzanne, 83, works with addiction groups. She tells stories of his laugh. Keith, 81, writes about family love. Emily stays private but posts memories.The family set up the Matthew Perry Foundation for addiction help. It raised $1 million in 2024. John’s Knots Landing reruns remind fans. Suzanne’s press skills helped Matthew’s book sell 500,000 copies. Their love lives in Friends clips. As John said in 2024, “He got our best – humor and heart3.”
Fun Facts About Matthew Perry Parents
- John sang in Navy bands.
- Suzanne modeled for Revlon ads.
- They met on a game show set.
- John taught Matthew tennis.
- Suzanne baked cookies for Friends cast.
- Keith wrote speeches for presidents.
FAQs
Who are Matthew Perry’s parents?
Matthew Perry’s parents are John Bennett Perry, an actor from Knots Landing, and Suzanne Morrison, a former model and press agent. They split in 1970 but stayed close for Matthew.
What did Matthew Perry’s father do for work?
Matthew Perry’s father John Bennett Perry acted in soaps like Another World and Knots Landing. He sang, modeled, and taught Matthew about stage timing.
What is known about Matthew Perry’s mother?
Matthew Perry’s mother Suzanne Morrison modeled in the 1960s and worked as a press agent in Canada. She raised Matthew with books and big hugs.
Did Matthew Perry’s parents stay married?
No, Matthew Perry’s parents divorced when he was 1. John lived in LA, Suzanne in Ottawa, but they shared holidays and support.
How did Matthew Perry’s parents help his career?
Matthew Perry’s parents took him to auditions and cheered on sets. John’s acting tips and Suzanne’s charm lessons helped land Friends.
Conclusion
Matthew Perry’s parents John Bennett Perry and Suzanne Morrison built a boy who made the world laugh. From split homes to shared hugs, their love shaped Matthew’s wit and warmth. Through joys and pains, they showed family fixes all. John and Suzanne’s story reminds us: Parents give wings, even when the flight wobbles.What do you love most about Matthew Perry’s parents’ story?
References
- Photopea – Image tool for family trees: https://www.photopea.com/ – Useful for creators making visual bios. ↩︎
- People.com – Full family bio: https://people.com/all-about-matthew-perry-parents-john-bennett-perry-suzanne-morrison-keith-morrison-7963901 – For fans wanting personal stories and timelines. ↩︎
- Pinterest – Family photos and memories: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/17310779813110222/ – Appeals to visual nostalgia seekers. ↩︎
