Renowned actor Matthew Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing in the beloved TV series “Friends,” has passed away at the age of 54. The actor was found unresponsive in a jacuzzi at his Los Angeles residence. According to initial reports from TMZ, it is believed he drowned. Authorities were initially called for a cardiac arrest but later confirmed the drowning.
Law enforcement sources have stated that no drugs were found at the scene, and foul play is not suspected at this time. Perry had returned home after playing pickleball for two hours and sent his assistant on an errand. When the assistant returned, they found Perry unresponsive and contacted emergency services.
Perry’s father arrived at the scene and appeared distraught, speaking with officers before leaving the area.
Matthew Perry’s final Instagram post showed him enjoying a dip in a jacuzzi, captioned: “Oh, so warm water swirling around makes you feel good? I’m Mattman.”
Prior to his passing, Perry was reportedly single, and fans were shocked to learn of this sudden tragedy. In 2019, Perry was romantically linked to Molly Hurwitz, and he confirmed their engagement in 2020. However, the couple called it quits in June 2021.
The news of Perry’s passing has left his fans heartbroken, and many took to social media to pay tribute to the late star. Maggie Wheeler, who played Janice in Friends, was the first of Perry’s co-stars to publicly pay tribute to the actor.
Ms Wheeler said the joy Perry brought to “so many” in his “too short lifetime will live on”.
“I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared,” she wrote on Instagram.
Cruel Intentions actress Selma Blair said Perry was her “oldest boy friend”, adding: “All of us loved Matthew Perry, and I did especially. Every day. I loved him unconditionally. And he me.
“And I’m broken. Broken hearted. Sweet dreams Matty. Sweet dreams.”
Matthew Perry was born in Massachusetts and grew up in Canada. He became a household name during his ten-season run as Chandler on “Friends” and was beloved by viewers worldwide.
Despite his on-screen success, Perry faced personal battles in the years leading up to his passing. He struggled with addiction and candidly shared his experiences with fans. In 2018, he suffered a gastrointestinal perforation due to his severe opiate usage, which left him comatose for two weeks, with only a two percent chance of survival. During this time, he relied on a colostomy bag while his colon healed, which led to numerous challenges.
Perry revealed that he woke up covered in his own feces “50 to 60” times during the five months he spent in the hospital. His addiction battle also resulted in the loss of all his top teeth, and at the height of his struggles, he was consuming around 55 Vicodin pills a day and weighed just 128 pounds.
The actor sought help through rehab but continued to face difficulties. His passing is a somber reminder of the perils of addiction, and he will be remembered for his iconic role in “Friends” and his courage in sharing his personal struggles with the world.
