The world is mourning the loss of Friends icon Matthew Perry, who tragically passed away at the age of 54, apparently due to drowning. On October 28, the actor was discovered unresponsive in his Los Angeles residence.
The entertainment industry has bid farewell to a beloved figure.
Matthew Perry’s demise, as confirmed by a representative and a law enforcement source to NBC News, is believed to have occurred as a result of drowning. He was just 54 years old.
Authorities treated the incident, which unfolded in the actor’s Los Angeles home, as a water rescue operation, although no foul play is suspected.
An LAPD spokesperson informed that they responded to a “death investigation for a male in his fifties” on that fateful afternoon. In a heartbreaking turn of events, Matthew Perry was discovered unresponsive in a hot tub at his Los Angeles residence, according to sources within law enforcement, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. It’s worth noting that just six days prior to his passing, Perry shared a poignant photo of himself relaxing in a hot tub on Instagram. Little did anyone know, it would be his final post.
Born in Massachusetts in 1969, Perry spent his formative years in Canada. However, at the age of 15, he embarked on a transformative journey, relocating from Ottawa to Los Angeles to complete high school and pursue his dreams of becoming an actor.
After years of tackling minor roles on television, Perry’s breakthrough came when he landed his first major parts in the sitcoms Boys Will Be Boys and Growing Pains. But it was his iconic portrayal of Chandler Bing on the hit TV show Friends in 1994 that catapulted him to stardom.
Friends, in which he starred alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, and David Schwimmer, became a cultural phenomenon, running for ten seasons. Perry earned his first Emmy nomination in 2002 for his role in the series and garnered three more individual Emmy nods throughout his career. These included two for a guest role on The West Wing and one for his performance in the TNT movie The Ron Clark Story.
Following his tenure on Friends, Perry graced both the small and silver screens. He starred in TV comedies such as Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Go On, and a remake of The Odd Couple, in addition to appearing in movies like The Whole Nine Yards and its sequel, The Whole Ten Yards.
However, behind the scenes, the actor faced a relentless battle with alcohol and drug addiction. He courageously shared his struggles in his memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” which was published in November 2022.
In his book, Perry recounted a near-death experience he endured in 2018. While residing in a sober living facility, his colon “exploded” due to years of opioid overuse, resulting in a two-week coma and five months in a hospital, where he underwent more than a dozen surgeries.
Despite these trials, Perry maintained an inspiring outlook on life. “There is a reason I’m still here,” he wrote. “And figuring out why is the task that has been put in front of me. And it will be revealed. There is no rush, no desperation. Just the fact that I am here, and I care about people, is the answer. Now when I wake up, I wake up curious, wondering what the world has in store for me, and I for it. And that’s enough to go on.”
His memoir quickly became a best-seller, resonating deeply with readers seeking solace in his journey. Perry expressed his satisfaction with its reception, stating, “People have just loved it.” He continued to inspire others with his candor and dedication to helping those who were facing similar struggles.
Matthew Perry’s legacy endures, and his memory lives on in the hearts of countless fans and admirers worldwide.