Matthew Perry, renowned for his role as Chandler Bing on the iconic sitcom “Friends,” has tragically passed away.
Law enforcement sources have informed us that the actor was discovered on Saturday at a residence in the Los Angeles area, where it appears he drowned. Responders initially rushed to the scene in response to a call about a cardiac arrest. The exact location remains unclear.
Reports indicate that he was found in a jacuzzi at the residence. Notably, no drugs were discovered at the scene, and there is no suspicion of foul play.
Perry’s portrayal of Chandler Bing endeared him to fans worldwide during the show’s ten-season run, spanning 234 episodes. His character’s unique mannerisms and memorable lines continue to be celebrated and parodied by fans globally, with one iconic phrase being, “Could (blank) BE more …”
While “Friends” catapulted him to stardom, Perry also graced numerous other television shows over the years, either as a star or guest star. These include “Boys Will Be Boys,” “Growing Pains,” “Silver Spoons,” “Charles in Charge,” “Sydney,” “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “Home Free,” “Ally McBeal,” “The West Wing,” “Scrubs,” “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” “Go On,” “The Odd Couple,” and more.
In addition to his television work, he made memorable appearances in several comedy films such as “Fools Rush In,” “The Whole Nine Yards,” “Three to Tango,” “The Kid,” “17 Again,” “Getting In,” and many others. However, he had stepped back from acting in recent years, with his last role being in a TV miniseries in 2017.
Despite his affable onscreen persona, Matthew faced significant struggles off-screen, particularly battling addiction to drugs and alcohol, notably painkillers like Vicodin. He grappled with this addiction even during his time on ‘Friends,’ and sought help through rehab on multiple occasions.
In a memoir released last year, Matthew candidly shared the challenges he faced, including his visible weight fluctuations during the show.
While Perry appeared to be in better health a year ago, his public appearances during the previous year, notably during the promotion of the “Friends” reunion show, raised concerns among fans. Some observed moments where he seemed unwell, at times struggling with speech and appearing disoriented.
In addition to his substance struggles, Matthew also contended with serious health issues that led to hospitalization. One such incident stemmed from a gastrointestinal perforation, necessitating emergency surgery, from which he thankfully recovered.
Although Matthew never married, he was briefly engaged to Molly Hurwitz a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, the engagement ended after only six months. Prior to that, he was romantically linked with Lizzy Caplan.
Matthew Perry was 54 years old.
Rest in Peace.