Matthew Perry's dad on Friends

Last Modified Jan 24, 2025 06:17 EST
Matthew Perry's dad on friends
Matthew Perry's dad on Friends (Source: Screengrab from the show)


Matthew Perry’s father John Bennett Perry featured in season 4 of the sitcom Friends. He played the character of Mr. Burgin (Joshua’s father) in the episode, "The One with Rachel's New Dress.”


The retired American actor, musician, and model John Bennett Perry was born on January 4, 1941. He started his career as a singer, performing with the Serendipity Singers and appearing on Broadway in the 1967 musical Now Is the Time for All Good Men.


Matthew Perry’s father in Friends


Matthew Perry's dad on friends
John Bennett Perry as Mr. Burgin (Source: Screengrab from the show)


John Bennett Perry appeared on Friends as Mr. Burgin (Joshua’s father). He appeared in season 4, episode 18, titled, "The One With Rachel's New Dress.” In the episode, Rachel attempts to evoke a romantic urge in Joshua by striking a seductive position but her efforts fail.


Rachel prepares the sexiest date possible (which involves Monica in dinner preparation) for her first night with Joshua. Sadly, Joshua has a type of ornithophobia, which makes him fear farm birds, who just so happen to be Joey and Chandler's duck and rooster. Because of his nervousness, Rachel and Joshua wind up moving everything to Joshua's parent's house, which is surprisingly empty because they are on vacation.


The evening looks promising for Rachel. However, Joshua's parents arrive early from their vacation and see Rachel wearing a negligee, which she attempts to pass off as a brand-new Bloomingdale's prototype dress. Rachel only wears her nightgown when the four of them eat dinner at a restaurant at Joshua's father's suggestion.


Matthew Perry’s father's life & career


Matthew Perry's dad on Friends
John Bennett Perry in George of the Jungle (Source: Screengrab from the film)


Perry was born in Williamstown, Massachusetts, on January 4, 1941. His parents were Maria (born Bennett; 1906–1971) and Alton L. Perry (1906–2003), a merchant, bank director, and civic activist. In college, he was a member of the fraternity Phi Sigma Kappa at St. Lawrence University.


He has acted in a number of films, such as George of the Jungle, Lipstick, Midway, The Legend of the Lone Ranger, Only When I Laugh, and Independence Day. Additionally, he has made appearances on television programs such as Magnum, P.I., 240-Robert, Nakia, Falcon Crest, The West Wing, L.A. Law, Days of Our Lives, Little House on the Prairie, and Murder, She Wrote. He played General Douglas MacArthur in the 1989 film Farewell to the King.


He co-starred with his son Matthew Perry in the 1997 film Fools Rush In and with his real-life son's character in the Scrubs sitcom "My Unicorn" episode. Also, he played Joshua, Rachel Green's boyfriend's father in the Friends episode titled "The One with Rachel's New Dress."


FAQs about Matthew Perry’s dad

Yes, Matthew Perry’s dad was on Friends season 4, episode 18, titled, "The One with Rachel's New Dress.”


Actor John Bennett Perry played the character of Mr. Burgin (Joshua’s father) in Friends.


Matthew Perry’s father, John Bennett Perry, is a retired actor, musician, and model.


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