Matthew Perry was a beloved actor known worldwide, especially for his iconic role as Chandler Bing in the hit TV series Friends. However, his personal struggles and tragic battles with addiction cast a shadow over his life.
At the age of 54, Perry was found unresponsive in the jacuzzi of his Los Angeles home, and his subsequent passing has left the entertainment industry and fans in mourning.
Matthew Perry’s struggles with addiction and alcoholism were no secret, as he had candidly discussed them in recent years. What makes his story particularly poignant is the contrast between the joy he brought to countless people through his iconic television role and the personal pain he endured.
In 2021, Perry released his memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” where he openly discussed his fight with addiction. In the pages of the book, he also revealed the profound impact of his Friends co-star, Jennifer Aniston.
While Perry is best known for his deadpan humor as Chandler Bing, his acting career began in 1987 with the TV series “Second Chances” and its sequel, “Boys Will Be Boys.” Born to a Canadian mother and an American father in 1969, he made his film debut in the 1988 movie “A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon,” where he appeared alongside the late River Phoenix.
He went on to make appearances in other TV shows like “Growing Pains,” “Sydney” with Valerie Bertinelli, and “Beverly Hills, 90210.” However, his breakthrough came with the role of Chandler in Friends, a character he portrayed for the show’s entire ten-season run, from 1994 to 2004.
Throughout his decades-long career, Perry had starring roles in films such as the 1997 rom-com “Fools Rush In” with Salma Hayek. In 2000 and 2004, he starred alongside Bruce Willis in “The Whole Nine Yards” and its sequel, “The Whole Ten Yards.”
Perry, who was never married and had no children, battled drug and alcohol abuse for years, having been in rehab 15 times. His complicated relationship with alcohol began when he was cast in Friends at the age of 24.
While he managed to maintain his sobriety during certain seasons of the show, it wasn’t until the ninth season that he remained sober throughout. Perry noted the irony that it was during that season he was nominated for the best actor award, saying, “That should tell me something.”
In 2018, Perry faced a life-threatening gastrointestinal perforation that led to a two-week coma and five months in the hospital. He even had to use a colostomy bag for nine months. Doctors gave him a mere 2% chance of survival and employed an ECMO machine, a last-ditch effort to save him.
Throughout his struggle with addiction and health issues, his Friends castmates stood by him. Perry compared their support to penguins in nature who surround an injured or sick member, propping it up until it can walk on its own. The camaraderie of the Friends cast extended off-screen, mirroring their on-screen friendship.
In the years following Friends, Perry revealed that Jennifer Aniston, in particular, had stayed in close contact with him, providing support during his ups and downs. She was the one who reached out the most, showing her deep care for her friend.
Aniston had been the first of his co-stars to confront him about his drinking when it became evident during the filming of Friends. Perry reflected on that moment, saying, “Imagine how scary a moment that was.”
Sadly, Matthew Perry, the much-loved actor, lost his long battle with addiction and passed away at the age of 54. His death was a shock to fans and the entertainment industry. First responders rushed to his address after a report of cardiac arrest. Perry had been playing pickleball earlier that day and returned home feeling fatigued.
No drugs were found at the scene, and foul play is not suspected. Matthew Perry’s passing leaves behind a legacy of laughter and memorable moments from Friends, but it also serves as a poignant reminder of the toll that addiction can take on even the most talented and beloved individuals.
Rest in peace, Matthew Perry. Your memory will live on, and you will be greatly missed by your fans and friends alike.