​​ The head of comedy development at Warner Bros. Television, during the early nineties, David Janollari (The Drew Carey Show), in an article he wrote for the Hollywood Reporter, speaks highly of actor Matthew Perry (Fools Rush In), in an article he wrote for The Hollywood Reporter. Perry, who passed away unexpectedly this past Saturday, played the character of Chandler Bing, in NBC’s hit sitcom, Friends.

 According to The Hollywood Reporter, the character of Chandler Bing was one of the last of the six friends to be cast in the show, but when Perry auditioned, it was an obvious choice.

“Casting the six Friends, along with creators Marta Kauffman, David Crane and Kevin Bright, was challenging.” Janollari wrote via The Hollywood Reporter. “They all had to be stars. The chemistry had to be believable. You just had to love them. And no one was more elusive than Chandler.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter, David Schwimmer (Madagascar), who played Ross, Courteney Cox (Scream), who played Monica, Lisa Kudrow (Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion), who played Phoebe, and Matt LeBlanc (Man With a Plan), who played Joey, were cast first, and with only days to go before production of the pilot began, Rachel and Chandler were the only two left. Perry at this time had not auditioned for the role of Chandler due to him being under contract for another show about a futuristic airport, which, fortunately for Friends, ended up not getting picked up, allowing Perry to audition then get cast as Chandler.

“In addition to spending a lot of time on Stage 24 on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank over the years with Matthew, plus countless Upfront trips, TCA’s and award shows, I got to know him personally through mutual friends, game nights…” Janollari said of the late star via The Hollywood Reporter. “His dedication to his Sober Living house, his recent autobiography and his determination to help others in need inspired many struggling with addictions.”

In social media tributes from fellow actors and friends of Perry, they spoke of how he touched their lives in a meaningful way despite his own struggles.