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Matthew Perry, the famed actor renowned for his role in the beloved television show “Friends,” was found deceased in his Los Angeles residence on October 28. Law enforcement has officially confirmed this distressing news, reassuring the public that there is no evidence of any criminal involvement in his sudden demise.
The specific cause of his death remains undisclosed at this time. Perry was found in a bathtub, and it’s important to mention that he had struggled with drug problems for a long time, getting help from professionals multiple times. However, sources have confirmed to The Los Angeles Times that no illegal drugs were found at the place.
Who was Matthew Perry?
Matthew Perry started acting when he was a teenager. Subsequently, he became very famous in the 1990s when he played the character Chandler Bing on the popular TV show Friends, a role that earned him an Emmy nomination. Following his success on Friends, he ventured into movies, starring in films like Fools Rush In and The Whole Nine Yards.
However, Perry also faced personal struggles and battled addiction for many years. In an attempt to find success on TV again, he took on roles in shows like Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and Go On, eventually finding it with a revival of The Odd Couple. Despite his professional achievements, Perry never married or had children. Sadly, he passed away at the age of 54 in October 2023.
Quick Facts About Matthew Perry
| Full Name | Matthew Langford Perry |
| Born | August 19, 1969 |
| Died | October 28, 2023 |
| Birthplace | Williamstown, Massachusetts |
| Astrological Sign | Leo |
Childhood and Early Life
Matthew Langford Perry was born on August 19, 1969, in Williamstown, Massachusetts. His father, John Bennett Perry, was an actor, and his parents separated when Matthew was very young. As an infant, he moved with his mother, Suzanne Langford, to Ottawa, Canada.
Suzanne served as the press secretary to Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and later remarried, making Keith Morrison, a correspondent for NBC’s Dateline program, Matthew’s stepfather.
Matthew attended Rockcliffe Park Public School in Canada and even became friends with Justin Trudeau, who is now the Prime Minister of Canada. Around the age of 15, he moved to Los Angeles to live with his father and enrolled at Buckley School, from which he graduated in 1987.
During his formative years, Matthew developed two passions: tennis and acting. While he excelled in tennis in Canada, he found that his tennis skills couldn’t compete in the highly competitive environment of Los Angeles. Unlike tennis, his acting career was on a different trajectory.
Early Acting Roles
Matthew Perry’s first taste of the movie industry came when he was still in high school, with a supporting role alongside River Phoenix in “A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon” (1988). Unfortunately, the film didn’t gain much attention.
In September 1987, Perry starred in his first sitcom, “Second Chance.” The show had an imaginative premise, with Kiel Martin playing a man who dies and gets the opportunity to mentor a younger version of himself, portrayed by Perry.
The show underwent changes, dropping Martin and focusing on the teenage adventures of Perry’s character, eventually being renamed “Boys Will Be Boys.” However, the sitcom failed to attract a substantial audience and was canceled.
After the series ended, Perry took on a series of smaller roles and made guest appearances on shows like “Empty Nest” and “Growing Pains.” In 1990, he had a supporting role in the short-lived Valerie Bertinelli comedy series “Sydney.” That same year, Perry delivered a commendable performance as Desi Arnaz Jr. in the TV biopic “Call Me Anna,” which chronicled the life of actress Patty Duke.
Three years later, Perry made another attempt at sitcom success with “Home Free.” He portrayed a young reporter who resided with his mother, sister, and her two children. Unfortunately, the series was canceled after just a few months. Perry then appeared in the pilot for “LAX 2194,” a futuristic portrayal of an airport, but the show never made it to air.
“Friends” Fame
Perry soon discovered the ideal project, landing a leading role in a new sitcom centered around a group of young adults living in New York City. Premiering in September 1994, “Friends” became one of the most beloved television sitcoms of all time.
In “Friends,” Perry portrayed the quick-witted and sarcastic Chandler Bing, who shares an apartment with aspiring actor Joey, played by Matt LeBlanc, and has a long-time friendship with Ross, portrayed by David Schwimmer. The ensemble cast was completed by Courteney Cox as Monica (Ross’s sister), Jennifer Aniston as Rachel (Monica’s roommate), and Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe, the eccentric and quirky friend of the group.
The six actors on “Friends” formed a close-knit group, both on and off the screen. When “Friends” became a massive hit and a must-watch show for many Americans on Thursday nights, they joined forces to renegotiate their contracts. Eventually, each of them earned a remarkable $1 million for every episode. The show was also a hit with critics, earning a total of 62 Emmy Award nominations during its run. In 2002, Perry himself received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.
During the later seasons of “Friends,” Chandler’s character develops a romantic relationship with Monica. The characters eventually got married, adopted twins, and planned a move to the suburbs as the series concluded in May 2004 after a successful decade on the air.
Addiction
Despite the immense popularity of “Friends,” Perry faced personal battles with addiction to alcohol and prescription medications. He admitted in a 2002 interview with The New York Times that he was driven by a strong desire for fame, attention, money, and the best seats in restaurants. However, he hadn’t considered the consequences of this pursuit.
In 1997, Perry sought help by entering rehab to address his addiction to the painkiller Vicodin. He returned for a second stint in rehab in 2001. Despite his efforts, he struggled with alcohol and pill use in the following years. Perry shared in an interview with People that he found it challenging to stop during that period.
His battle with addiction persisted, leading him to enter rehab multiple times throughout his life. In his 2022 book, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” Perry disclosed that he spent over $7 million attempting to achieve sobriety and went through rehab at least 15 times.
Despite his own struggles, Perry sought to help others facing addiction. He advocated for drug court reform and, for a period, transformed his former home in Malibu, California, into a men’s sober-living facility named Perry House.
Movies
During his time on the TV show “Friends,” Matthew Perry also worked on several movies. He appeared in a few comedies, such as “Fools Rush In” (1997) with Salma Hayek, “Almost Heroes” (1998) with Chris Farley, and “Three to Tango” (1999) with Neve Campbell.
While these films didn’t become big hits with the public or critics, Perry had some commercial success with “The Whole Nine Yards” (2000) alongside Bruce Willis and Amanda Peet. This movie made over $57 million and even led to a sequel in 2004 called “The Whole Ten Yards.”
Perry later took on the lead role in the 2006 TV movie “The Ron Clark Story,” where he portrayed a Southern teacher who moved to New York City to work with underprivileged students. His performance earned him nominations for both an Emmy and a Golden Globe.
In 2007, he played a screenwriter in the independent film “Numb,” where the character tries to overcome depression to win the love of his life. Perry also starred in another independent feature called “Birds of America,” which was featured at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.
The next year, he had a part in the comedy “17 Again,” sharing the screen with Zac Efron and Leslie Mann.
During this period, Matthew Perry had a recurring role in the legal drama series “The Good Wife” and made appearances in its spinoff, “The Good Fight.” One of Perry’s later roles was portraying Ted Kennedy in the 2017 limited series “The Kennedys After Camelot,” where he shared the screen with Katie Holmes, who played Jackie Kennedy.
Girlfriends
Matthew Perry never tied the knot, although he did come close. He got engaged to Molly Hurwitz in November 2020, but unfortunately, they announced their separation in May 2021.
In the past, Perry had relationships with actors Lizzy Caplan and, briefly, Julia Roberts. He also had romantic involvements with TV executive Jamie Tarses, Rachel Dunn when she was a fashion student and TV producer Gabrielle Allan.
Health Problems & Death
Matthew Perry’s struggles with addiction led to a series of severe health issues. In 2000, he was hospitalized for pancreatitis.
Then, in the summer of 2018, at the age of 49, Perry was rushed to the hospital due to a gastrointestinal perforation. In his book “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” he disclosed that his colon had ruptured due to his opioid abuse, and this left him fighting for his life. His hospitalization lasted for five months, during which he spent time on life support and was in a coma for two weeks.
Perry mentioned that in the early days of his hospitalization, doctors gave him only a 2 percent chance of survival. His recovery involved using a colostomy bag for nine months and undergoing at least 14 surgeries.
Tragically, Matthew Perry passed away on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54. Authorities found him unresponsive in a hot tub at his Los Angeles residence around 4 p.m. The cause of his death is currently unknown, but law enforcement reported no signs of foul play, and according to sources cited by The Los Angeles Times, no drugs were discovered at the scene.
Final Verdict
In summary, Matthew Perry’s life story is a fascinating look at the journey of a talented actor who made a big impact in the entertainment world. He faced challenges with addiction early on but went on to become famous for his role as Chandler Bing on the TV show “Friends.”
His life teaches us that with hard work and not giving up, you can overcome difficulties and achieve great things. Matthew Perry’s enduring popularity and contributions to the entertainment industry are inspiring to many.