On Saturday, October 28th, 2023, Matthew Perry was found dead at age 54. He was found, by his assistant, unconscious in a jacuzzi at his home in L.A. His assistant called 9-1-1, but after a medical assessment, it was concluded that Perry was dead prior to the first responder’s arrival.
Matthew Perry was best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the NBC sitcom Friends. He played this role for ten years, forming a strong, family-like bond with his co-stars. The show was very popular and formed a massive fanbase of people from all over the world. Fans were crushed with the news of Perry’s passing and they anxiously waited for a statement from the Friends cast.
Two days after Perry’s passing, Friends stars Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, and Courteney Cox released a combined statement in regards to their friend’s passing: “We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family. There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss. In time we will say more, as and when we are able. For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”
Matthew Perry was open about his addictions, publishing a memoir last year titled “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.” In this memoir, he discusses his issues with alcohol and opioid use. He had a health scare when he was 49. His heart stopped in 2018 and he slipped into a coma for two weeks. After recovering, he decided to turn his life around. He was admitted to rehab and began to write his book. He worked to help people who were struggling just like him. In his last interview before his death, Perry said, “I want people to understand that they’re not alone. That there are people feeling exactly the way they’re feeling. That their behavior is not insane. That they have a disease and it’s not their fault.”
While Matthew Perry’s cause of death is still being investigated, police have said that there is no indication of foul play. Detectives from the Robbery Homicide division conducted a preliminary investigation, stating that, “Although there were no obvious signs of trauma, the official cause of Perry’s death is pending the coroner’s investigation.”
Matthew Perry was loved by so many people. He was a very successful comedian who helped his fans through hard times. As his family stated: “Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend”
