Beloved “Friends” actor Matthew Perry, known for his role as the witty Chandler Bing, tragically passed away at the age of 54 on a Saturday, reportedly due to a hot tub drowning.
According to reports from The Los Angeles Times and TMZ.com, citing law enforcement sources, Perry was discovered lifeless in a jacuzzi at his Los Angeles residence. NBC, the network that aired “Friends” for a decade, confirmed his death through a statement on the social media platform X.
The news of his passing prompted an outpouring of sorrow from fellow celebrities and prominent figures.
Actor Mira Sorvino expressed her grief on X: “Oh no!!! Matthew Perry!! You sweet, troubled soul!! May you find happiness in Heaven, spreading laughter with your unique wit!!!”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a former schoolmate of Perry’s in Ottawa, described his friend’s passing as “shocking and saddening.”
“I’ll never forget the schoolyard games we used to play, and I know people around the world are never going to forget the joy he brought them,” Trudeau stated on X. “Thanks for all the laughs, Matthew. You were loved — and you will be missed.”
Matthew Perry was discovered lifeless at his residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, according to NBC News, which referenced an unnamed representative of Perry and a law enforcement source.
NBC Entertainment expressed profound sorrow over the untimely passing of Matthew Perry, highlighting how he brought immense joy to countless people worldwide with his impeccable comedic timing and dry humor. His legacy will endure for generations.
Matthew Perry’s most iconic role was as Chandler in the globally acclaimed series “Friends,” which ran for a decade from 1994 to 2004, alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, and Lisa Kudrow. This series catapulted all six cast members to international stardom as they portrayed a close-knit group of young adults who frequented each other’s apartments and the fictional Manhattan cafe, “Central Perk.”
One of the central plotlines revolved around the secret romance between Chandler and Monica Geller, portrayed by Cox, with their close-knit group of friends — Rachel, Joey, Phoebe, and Ross — gradually discovering the relationship, leading to the eventual marriage of the two characters.
In 2021, the ensemble cast came together for a highly anticipated reunion special that aired on HBO Max, marking 17 years since the series finale.
During its peak, “Friends” held the title of the most-watched U.S. television program in prime time, with each actor earning a staggering $1 million per episode.
Throughout much of the original series run, Matthew Perry’s private battle with addiction to prescription drugs and alcohol remained concealed from the public. In his 2022 memoir, titled “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” he candidly recounted his struggles.
The book opens with Perry’s words: “Hi, my name is Matthew, although you may know me by another name. My friends call me Matty. And I should be dead.”
In an October 2022 interview with The New York Times, Perry revealed that he had remained drug-free for 18 months, sharing, “I’ve probably spent around $9 million in my journey to achieve sobriety.”
Perry detailed in his book that he had to be immediately transported back to rehab after completing the filming of Chandler and Monica’s wedding episode.
Following his role on “Friends,” Perry ventured into three more network television projects that had short-lived runs: “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” “Mr. Sunshine,” and “Go On.”
Additionally, he made guest appearances and took on recurring roles in popular TV series, including “The West Wing,” “Ally McBeal,” “Scrubs,” and “Beverly Hills, 90210.” His filmography included movies such as “Fools Rush In,” “The Whole Nine Yards,” “Almost Heroes,” and “Three to Tango.”
Born in Massachusetts, the actor spent his formative years in Ottawa. His mother, a Canadian journalist who had previously worked as press secretary for former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, divorced Perry’s father and later married a Canadian broadcasting personality.
Perry’s journey to stardom began as a highly ranked junior tennis player before he made the move to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting and improvisational comedy.