Matthew Perry, a 54-year-old actor best known for a beloved run on Friends, was found dead in the jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home, according to TMZ and NBC News reporting circulating at the time.
Emergency services were called at 16:07 local time to rescue a person from the water, NBC News reported, with Perry’s assistant reportedly reaching out on his behalf. After returning home from a pickleball game, the actor asked the assistant to run an errand; when he returned about two hours later, Perry appeared not to be breathing.
Officials later indicated that no drugs were found at the scene and that there were no signs of foul play, per the Los Angeles Times. TMZ, citing law enforcement, noted that an autopsy would determine the cause of death.
A neighbor, Leo, told the Los Angeles Times that an ambulance arrived at Perry’s residence, saying, “I was shocked. It was very worrying and sad.”
“A heartbreaking day”
Friends and colleagues expressed their condolences, highlighting Perry’s talent and intellect. Warner Bros. Television Group, the company behind Friends, praised him as incredibly talented and noted that his comedic genius touched audiences worldwide. They added that his legacy would live on in the hearts of fans and loved ones, calling the day heartbreaking and sending love to his family. NBC, which aired Friends for ten seasons, offered similar sentiments, saying Perry brought joy to audiences around the world with his wit and timing, and that his legacy would endure for generations.
Sergei Bystritsky, who voiced Chandler Bing in the Russian-dubbed version of Friends, reflected that Perry could have explored even more fascinating directions in his career, sharing thoughts during a conversation with socialbites.ca. He described Perry as a remarkable artist whose work and influence extended beyond the screen, expressing sorrow over the loss and admiration for the creator’s gift.
Everyone knows Chandler
Perry was born on August 19, 1969, in Williamstown, Massachusetts. His father, actor John Bennett Perry, and his mother, Suzanne Marie Morrison, a journalist and former press secretary to a Canadian prime minister, shaped his early path. Perry began acting in the 1980s and early 1990s with appearances on Charles in Charge, Beverly Hills 90210, and the film A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon.
Yet his breakthrough came with Friends, a sitcom about six New Yorkers stepping into adulthood. Premiering in 1994, the series became a global sensation and propelled Perry alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer to superstardom. In a 2002 interview with the New York Times, Perry reflected on the pressures of fame, noting that the desire for recognition, money, and a premier social seat sometimes distracted from the consequences that follow.
Perry’s lifelong battle with addiction
His memoir, Friends, Lovers and the Big Bad Thing, published last year, bravely discusses years of drug and alcohol struggles. Perry introduced himself in the book with a candid moment about how friends might know him by another name and hinting at battles with mortality. He recalled first drinking at fourteen and recognizing an alcoholism issue by eighteen. A jet ski accident in 1997 led to a painkiller prescription, which contributed to a long struggle with addiction.
He noted spending millions over the years trying to quit, with substance use causing serious health issues. In 2018, a severe health episode left him with a ruptured colon, a two-week coma, and a five-month hospitalization, followed by living with a colostomy bag for several months. In a reflective moment with the Los Angeles Times in April, Perry shared how he hoped to be remembered: as a man who lived well, loved deeply, helped others, and made people smile. He wished to be remembered for the positive impact he left behind.
Throughout his life, Perry spoke openly about his struggles, aiming to shed light on addiction and recovery. He expressed a desire to be seen as someone who faced his challenges with honesty and resilience, hoping his story would inspire others facing similar battles. The portrait of his life reveals not just a comedian but a complex person who endured hardship, sought help, and kept working toward a meaningful legacy.
In reflection, friends and fans remember Perry not only for the laughter he created but for the humanity he showed in his most vulnerable moments. His work on Friends remains a touchstone for many, a reminder of how fiction can connect people across generations, while his candid discussions about addiction have contributed to ongoing conversations about mental health and wellness in the entertainment industry.