‘Friends’ Actor Says Matthew Perry Made Writers Change Script That Had Him Cheat on Monica

Samantha Bergeson
·2-min read

Matthew Perry helped save his iconic onscreen romance with Courteney Cox from a “Friends” plot twist.

Series guest actress Lisa Cash, who appears in Season 5 as a flight attendant in the episode “The One in Vegas: Part 1,” told TMZ that late star Perry asked “Friends” writers to change the script at the last minute. Cash was originally cast as a hotel worker with whom Chandler (Perry) cheats on Monica (Courteney Cox) as retaliation for Monica meeting up with her ex, Richard (Tom Selleck).

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“I came in as a guest star and I was super excited,” Cash said. “The scene was Chandler and Monica were arguing in Vegas about having lunch with Richard. Initially in our script, Chandler goes up to the hotel room, orders room service, and I bring it up [to him] as a hotel worker. We end up talking and laughing and connecting and Chandler ends up cheating on Monica with my character.”

She continued, “We had rehearsed it and everything. The day before we were shooting in front of a live audience, I was told that Perry went to the writers and said the audience would never forgive [Chandler] for cheating on Monica. He was probably right! That would’ve changed possibly the course of the show and his character.”

Cash added of working with Perry, “I felt so comfortable. He was so likable and welcoming and just made me feel at ease. I had so much fun. It was so much fun doing the scene with him and it was easy.”

Perry died at age 54 on October 28. The actor was found unresponsive at his Los Angeles home after struggling with alcohol and drug addiction. A joint statement from Perry’s “Friends” co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer recalled how the sitcom gang is a “family” in real life.

“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew,” the statement read. “We were more than just cast mates. We are a family. There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss. In time we will say more, as and when we are able. For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”

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