Culture
BREAKING: Friends Star Matthew Perry Dead at 54
For those who made sure they to catch every episode of the 1990s sitcom hit, “Friends”, the news that Comedic actor Matthew Perry has died at the age of 54, is a huge punch in the gut.
According to TMZ, Los Angeles authorities say Perry “was found in a jacuzzi” inside “an L.A.-area home” — without specifying whether it was Perry’s home or someone else’s. The outlet’s anonymous sources say the actor appears to have drowned.
“Our sources say first-responders rushed over on a call for cardiac arrest,” the report continues. “We’re told there were no drugs found at the scene. We’re also told there is no foul play involved.”
Perry became a household name in the 1990s on the hit sit-com Friends before going on to star in silver-screen hits like The Whole Nine Yards alongside Bruce Willis and Fools Rush In alongside Salma Hayek.
Perry also had been in other shows, such as Silver Spoons, Growing Pains, Charles in Charge, Beverly Hills 90210, Ally McBeal, The West Wing, Scrubs, and so many others.
Perry forever immortalized his character in the series, Chandler Bing.
Perry’s addiction to drugs, alcohol, and pain killers was an issue off screen leading to turmoil within the Friends cast. Through the years he checked into rehab centers.
“By the time I was 18, I was drinking every day,” he once said.
In a memoir called Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing, Perry documented his struggles and successes. The televsion icon spoke candidly about what he faced and worked to help others.
Speaking about his book on the talk show circuit, Perry was often moved to tears when discussing the difficulties he faced and his own regrets. The Friends cast members, however, stood by him.
On Nov 22, 2022, Perry shared his story of survival and why fame wasn’t the answer to his problems
That book became a New York Times bestseller after it’s 2022 release. He noted at the time that he was grateful for the love and support of his fans.
#1 ⭐️ Wow- a dream come true! Thank you all so much for making #FriendsLoversBook #1 on the @nytimes bestseller list. Feeling grateful and humbled for all of the love you have given my memoir and am happy to hear my words resonated with you. pic.twitter.com/nAC0XpkSD3
— matthew perry (@MatthewPerry) November 9, 2022
When the Friends had a reuinion special, fans were aware that he was often slurring his words and looked “a bit out of it,” TMZ reports.
His last tweet was about “perfect movies.” He said that two movies, Back to the Future and Midnight Run, were both in that category, and joked “I’m Mattman.”
Perfect movies: 1) Back to the Future, 2) Midnight Run, 3) _________? -I'm Mattman
— matthew perry (@MatthewPerry) October 26, 2023
