The Untold Crush: 5 Shocking Revelations About Valerie Bertinelli And Matthew Perry's Secret Kiss

The secret history between Hollywood stars Valerie Bertinelli and the late Matthew Perry has been brought back into the spotlight, offering a poignant look at unrequited love and the complexities of young fame. As of December 12, 2025, the narrative is dominated by Perry's candid revelations in his best-selling memoir and Bertinelli's subsequent, and somewhat mortified, public reaction, years after the intimate encounter.

The story centers on a brief, clandestine kiss that occurred during a turbulent time in both of their lives, specifically while they co-starred on a short-lived CBS sitcom. This revelation provides a deep, human context to the actors' early careers, highlighting Perry's intense crush and Bertinelli's conflicted feelings while married to rock legend Eddie Van Halen.

The Biographies: Valerie Bertinelli and Matthew Perry

The lives of Valerie Bertinelli and Matthew Perry intersected professionally and personally at a pivotal moment in their careers, long before their most famous roles defined them. Understanding their backgrounds provides essential context for the emotional weight of their shared secret.

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Valerie Anne Bertinelli: Profile

• Born: April 23, 1960, in Wilmington, Delaware.
• Key Roles: Barbara Cooper Royer on *One Day at a Time* (1975–1984), Melanie Moretti on *Hot in Cleveland* (2010–2015), and Sydney Kells on *Sydney* (1990).
• Awards: Two Golden Globe Awards (Best Supporting Actress for *One Day at a Time*), Daytime Emmy Award (Outstanding Culinary Program Host for *Valerie's Home Cooking*).
• Marriages: Eddie Van Halen (1981–2007, deceased), Tom Vitale (2011–2022).
• Other Ventures: Bestselling author and Food Network personality.

Matthew Langford Perry: Profile

• Born: August 19, 1969, in Williamstown, Massachusetts.
• Died: October 28, 2023, in Los Angeles, California.
• Key Roles: Chandler Bing on *Friends* (1994–2004), Ron Clark on *Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip*, and numerous film roles including *Fools Rush In* and *The Whole Nine Yards*.
• Awards: Primetime Emmy Award nominations for *Friends* and *The West Wing*.
• Memoir: *Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing* (2022).
• Legacy: Known globally for his comedic timing and his candid advocacy for addiction recovery.

The 1990 Sitcom That Started It All: Matthew Perry's Unrequited Crush

The secret encounter between the two actors took place in 1990 while they were co-starring in the CBS sitcom *Sydney*. The show, which only ran for 13 episodes, featured Bertinelli as the titular character, a private detective, and Perry as her younger brother, Billy Kells. At the time, Bertinelli was already a celebrated television star, having gained fame on *One Day at a Time*, and was married to Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen. Perry, a 20-year-old relative newcomer, was instantly smitten with his older co-star.

In his 2022 memoir, *Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing*, Perry devoted a significant passage to his intense feelings for Bertinelli. He confessed that he was "madly in love" with her, a crush he described as "crushing" because she was so far out of his league. Perry noted that he would often fantasize that Bertinelli would leave her "troubled marriage" to be with him. This period of professional proximity and personal infatuation set the stage for the now-infamous incident.

The memoir details the night of the kiss, which occurred at Bertinelli's home. According to Perry, her then-husband, Eddie Van Halen, was passed out nearby after a night of heavy drinking. Seizing the moment, Perry and Bertinelli shared a passionate make-out session. For Perry, this was a dream come true, a moment of profound connection with the woman he adored.

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The following day, however, the reality of the situation hit Perry hard. Bertinelli returned to work and, according to Perry's account, acted as if nothing had happened. She decided not to acknowledge the kiss, leaving Perry "devastated" and enduring "tearful" nights as a result. This moment of rejection, though unspoken, became a painful memory for the future *Friends* star, a deep scar from his early career.

Valerie Bertinelli's 'Mortified' Reaction to the Memoir

When Matthew Perry's memoir was released in October 2022, the story immediately became a headline, forcing Valerie Bertinelli to address the decades-old secret. Her reaction was one of embarrassment and regret, which she conveyed primarily through social media.

The TikTok Response and Public Acknowledgment

Bertinelli took to TikTok to offer a "seemingly" mortified response, using a popular audio clip from a Taylor Swift song to express her feelings. The short video showed her looking uncomfortable and then covering her face, with the caption referring to the "make-out" story. She later confirmed her feelings, stating she was "mortified" that Perry had revealed the anecdote.

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Her reaction was not one of denial but of self-reproach, acknowledging the awkwardness of the situation given her marriage at the time. She later posted a video with a caption that read, "Anyone misbehave in their 20s and early 30s? Raise your hand!" which many interpreted as a subtle admission of the event and an attempt to own her past mistakes. This public acknowledgment, albeit indirect, validated Perry's account and closed the loop on the secret he had carried for over 30 years.

The Poignant Tribute Following Matthew Perry's Death

The relationship between the two stars took on a new, somber significance following Matthew Perry's unexpected death on October 28, 2023. Despite the awkwardness surrounding the memoir's revelations, Bertinelli joined the chorus of Hollywood figures paying tribute to the beloved actor.

While the initial news cycle focused on her reaction to the kiss, the most current information available shows her expressing genuine grief. Her brief, heartfelt message was a simple yet powerful farewell: "Rest in peace, Matthew". This final public statement offered a respectful conclusion to their complicated history, moving past the sensationalism of the secret kiss to honor the life of a former co-star and friend who had carried a torch for her.

The entire saga—from the intense, unrequited crush on the set of *Sydney* to the shocking memoir revelation and the final, respectful farewell—paints a picture of two people navigating the difficulties of fame, addiction, and love. Perry's memoir, *Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing*, ensured their shared secret became a permanent part of Hollywood lore, forever linking the *One Day at a Time* star with the iconic Chandler Bing.

Key Entities and Topical Authority

• Matthew Perry (Actor)
• Valerie Bertinelli (Actress/Host)
• Eddie Van Halen (Musician/Late Husband)
• *Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing* (Memoir)
• *Sydney* (1990 Sitcom)
• CBS Television
• *One Day at a Time* (Sitcom)
• *Hot in Cleveland* (Sitcom)
• Chandler Bing (Iconic Role)
• Taylor Swift (TikTok Audio)
• Craig Bierko (Co-star)
• Daniel Baldwin (Co-star)
• Golden Globe Awards
• Primetime Emmy Awards
• Addiction Recovery Advocacy
• Warner Bros. Television
• Unrequited Love
• Hollywood Secrets
• 1990s Television