Matthew Perry, renowned for his role as Chandler in the iconic TV series “Friends,” was found dead at the age of 54 in his Los Angeles home. Perry’s lifeless body was discovered in a bathtub equipped with a whirlpool, as reported by “The Los Angeles Times,” citing police sources. The cause of his death remains undisclosed, with detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s homicide and robbery division conducting an ongoing investigation.
Emergency services found Perry’s lifeless body around 4 PM local time on Saturday. Despite extensive searches at the scene, no drugs or signs of foul play were discovered, according to anonymous police sources cited by American media outlets.
“Matthew was an incredibly gifted actor and an indelible part of the Warner Bros. Television Group family. The impact of his comedic genius was felt around the world, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of so many. This is a heartbreaking day, and we send our love to his family, his loved ones, and all of his devoted fans,” expressed Warner Bros in an official statement.
Born on August 19, 1969, in Williamstown, Massachusetts, Perry spent much of his childhood in Canada, where he pursued his passion for tennis, even becoming a leading national player. He later moved to Los Angeles, where his actor father resided after a divorce. In California, Perry ventured into the entertainment industry, making his debut in the 1979 drama series “240-Robert.” However, he achieved international fame through his role as Chandler in “Friends,” a series that propelled him to stardom and led to more film opportunities. He earned critical acclaim and award nominations for his lead role in “The Ron Clark Story.”
In 2022, Perry released his autobiographical book, “Friends, Lovers, and That Big Terrible Thing,” where he candidly shared his battle with opioid addiction. The addiction caused severe health issues, including a ruptured colon when he was 49, giving him only a two percent chance of survival. Perry spent weeks in a coma and underwent 14 surgeries during his hospitalization.
“I was taking 55 Vicodin (painkiller) a day, weighing 58 kilograms. Thirty million people watched my show ‘Friends,’ but I couldn’t because I was dangerously thin,” Perry revealed in a 2022 interview with CBC. He admitted to repeatedly entering rehab, hoping to overcome his drug addiction.
In his book, Perry disclosed how he couldn’t watch “Friends” during his struggles. Depending on the season, he could tell which substances he was abusing just by looking at himself on screen: “I could say, ‘Oh, there I am, I’m probably either on alcohol, opiates, or cocaine.'”