Who was Jamie Tarses? Matthew Perry broke up with TV producer as 'sweet payback' over his journey to being sober

Matthew Perry referred to Jamie Tarses as his 'sort-of girlfriend' in his memoir, 'Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing'
PUBLISHED NOV 1, 2023
Matthew Perry was once romatically linked to Jamie Tarses (IMDb)
Matthew Perry was once romatically linked to Jamie Tarses (IMDb)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jamie Tarses, a prominent TV producer and studio executive known for her remarkable contributions to the television industry, left an indelible mark before her untimely death on February 2, 2021, at the age of 56.

While her legacy is well-documented, she recently made headlines due to her romantic connection with the late Matthew Perry, who tragically died at the age of 54 by apparent drowning at his Pacific Palisades home on Saturday, October 28.

HOLLYWOOD, CA - APRIL 28:  Actor Matthew Perry arrives at the premiere of
Matthew Perry (Getty Images)

Matthew Perry and Jamie Tarses' intriguing connection

Perry, famous for his portrayal of Chandler Bing on the iconic sitcom 'Friends,' was linked romantically to Tarses in 1996. Notably, she played a significant role in the development of 'Friends,' adding a layer of intrigue to their connection.

Jamie (IMDb)
Jamie Tarses (IMDb)

While the public's awareness of their relationship was somewhat ambiguous, Perry refers to Tarses as his "sort-of girlfriend" in his memoir, 'Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.'

Why did Matthew Perry break up with Jamie Tarses?

In his memoir, Perry revealed a pivotal aspect of their relationship when Tarses stood by him during his struggles with addiction, offering him crucial support. However, the story took a unique turn when Perry decided to end their relationship upon achieving sobriety.

According to Perry, he needed "time to process being sober," shedding light on the complexities of sobriety and personal growth in the face of romantic relationships.

Aside from 'Friends,' Perry enjoyed a successful career that extended beyond the sitcom. He also appeared in the Fox sitcom 'Second Chance,' hosted 'Saturday Night Live' in 1997, and graced the big screen in films like 'Getting In' and 'Three to Tango.'

How did Jamie Tarses die?

Tarses on the other hand, was a prominent figure in the television industry, with an illustrious career marked by her roles at NBC and ABC.

Her contributions included work on successful TV shows like 'Mad About You' and 'Caroline in the City.'

Tragically, Tarses' life was cut short at the age of 56 when she suffered a cardiac arrest in February 2021. Tarses is survived by her partner, Paddy Aubrey, and their children, Wyatt and Sloane.

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