In his memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing (2022,) Friends star Matthew Perry offered fans an intimate glimpse into his psyche, reshaping their perception of the actor. The BBC‘s Leah Carroll notes that celebrity memoirs like Perry’s provide a rare opportunity for readers to empathize with the subjects’ journey and gain profound insights into the complexities of their lives.

Perry’s memoir provided fans a uniquely personal view into his psyche, and for many it changed their perception of the actor. He wasn’t just the sarcastic character from television who made them laugh over the decades—instead readers were privy to his struggles, his opinions on Hollywood, and even his thoughts on what the future held.

The celebrity memoir, after all, is the closest many people will get not just to fame, but also to the inner life of someone who has, from a distance, been a source of entertainment, inspiration, and even, in some sense, a constant companion.

In a world where celebrities often appear larger than life, these memoirs humanize their subjects, fostering a sense of closeness and understanding between readers and the individuals they admire.