Balancing Stardom Sank Him Deeper

In 2001, he navigated a tumultuous personal journey, even as he maintained his status as a leading actor in Hollywood. On the set of “Friends,” he endeavored to keep his personal challenges under wraps, never letting them interfere with his work. Yet signs like weight fluctuations and fatigue were hard to conceal. Despite these hurdles, his commitment never wavered.

Simultaneously, he was shooting the romantic comedy “Serving Sara” in Dallas, with his off-screen life starkly contrasting his on-screen presence. For Matthew, starting his days with a hangover and still having to deliver humor and charisma on set highlighted a life lived in sharp contrast.