On Saturday, October 28, it was tragically announced that Friends star Matthew Perry had passed away at 54 years old. Fans, friends, family, and co-stars of Perry were devastated to receive the news. The actor was well-known for his natural comedic charm, but was also a warm-hearted and inspiring person who shaped the lives of many people off-screen.
The results of Matthew Perry’s death may take time to be confirmed, as toxicology reports are still waited on. The actor appeared to have drowned in his hot tub when he was found, but it was known that he had been in a long-term battle with addiction for much of his life, which may have been the ultimate cause of his death. While no drugs were found in his system at the time of his death, there are still questions regarding the state of his heart, arteries, and lungs, which a more in-depth toxicology examination may provide some insight into.
Perry had been very honest and open with his drug addiction struggle, admitting that at one point he was taking up to 55 pain pills a day. In the later years of his life, he worked effortlessly to get sober, spending an estimated $9 million to achieve complete sobriety, and in an interview with The New York Times, the actor announced that he had been sober for 18 months, since the beginning of 2021. He used his experience to help others struggling with addiction and hoped that his efforts to help people achieve sobriety would be the first thing he was remembered for when he died.
On-screen, Matthew Perry was most notably known for his Friends character, the funny and heartwarming Chandler Bing. Co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane, and executive producer Kevin Bright stated, “From the day we first heard him embody the role of Chandler Bing, there was no one else for us.”
He captured the hearts of Friends viewers around the world, receiving an Emmy nomination for his performance on the show and winning international recognition and critical acclaim as an actor. In addition to Friends, Perry also had notable roles in A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon, Fools Rush In, Almost Heroes, The West Wing, and more.
Perry’s death has devastated his Friends co-stars, and fellow cast members Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer issued a joint statement that read, “We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family.”
Other cast members released their own statements following his death revealing how saddened they are and sharing their remembrances of him. Perry’s family said they are “heartbroken by the tragic loss,” and thanked his fans for their support stating, “Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend. You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.”
Perry’s funeral took place on November 3 and consisted of both tears and laughter as friends and family remembered the beloved actor. Matthew Perry served as an inspiration both on-screen and off-screen, and his memory will never be forgotten.