‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry dead at 54
The actor died after an apparent drowning in a hot tub, law enforcement sources told Fox News Digital
“Friends” star Matthew Perry has died, Fox News Digital has confirmed. He was 54.
Law enforcement sources said the actor was found dead in a hot tub at a house in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles on Saturday. The authorities stated he appeared to have died due to drowning.
According to TMZ, emergency personnel first responded to a call reporting cardiac arrest at the house. No drugs were found on the scene and no foul play is suspected, per the outlet.
According to a report by the Los Angeles Times, law enforcement sources said that authorities responded to Perry’s house at 4 p.m. and found him unresponsive.
The source would not provide a cause of death, per the outlet.
The LA Times reported that the Los Angeles Police Department’s robbery-homicide detectives are investigating Perry’s death.
The actor’s final social media post was shared five days ago. Perry uploaded an image of himself wearing headphones in a hot tub at night to Instagram.
“Oh, so warm water swirling around makes you feel good? I’m Mattman,” he wrote in the caption.
Perry was born on Aug. 19, 1969, in Williamstown, Massachusetts, to parents Suzanne Marie and John Bennett Perry. He was raised in Canada and spent many years of his childhood there before moving to Los Angeles.
The actor was best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the hit sitcom “Friends.” He starred alongside Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer in the show, which ran for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004.
He also took on leading roles in a number of movies, including “Fools Rush In,” “17 Again, “The Whole Nine Yards,” “Three to Tango,” “Almost Heroes,” “The Kid,” and “Getting In.” After “Friends” concluded, Perry starred in television shows such as “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” “Mr. Sunshine,” “Go On” and “The Odd Couple.”
Matthew Perry was only 24 when he was cast in “Friends.” (Mike Pont/WireImage)
The actor also made appearances in the TV series “Charles in Charge,” “Boys Will Be Boys,” “Silver Spoons,” “Growing Pains,” “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “Caroline in the City,” “Home Free,” “Ally McBeal,” “The West Wing,” “Scrubs,” “The Good Wife” and “Cougar Town.”
In 2021, all the main cast members of “Friends” returned to the beloved sitcom’s original soundstage for the HBO special, “Friends: The Reunion.”
Though it was the first time they had all appeared on-screen together since the show wrapped up in 2004, Perry said their off-screen friendships have remained strong over the years.
In November 2022, Perry released his memoir “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” where he wrote about his time of “Friends” and his long battle with drug and alcohol addiction. (David M. Benett/Getty Images)
“It’s a group that really is close and tight-knit and loves each other,” he told People magazine last October.
In November 2022, Perry released his memoir “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing” where he wrote about his time on “Friends” and his long battle with drug and alcohol addiction.
Matthew Perry said in a 2022 interview that he’d been sober since 2021. (Getty Images)
At one extremely low point, Perry said, he was taking 55 Vicodin pills a day and weighed 128 pounds. He revealed he did 15 stints in rehab and underwent 14 surgeries for addiction-related medical issues.
In an October 2022 interview with the New York Times, Perry said he had been sober since early 2021. source
Matthew Perry’s cause of death listed as deferred: What that means
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office has completed its autopsy of “Friends” actor Matthew Perry, who was found dead at his home Saturday.
Perry was found dead at his home in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles Saturday, after an apparent drowning, according to FOX News. According to TMZ, emergency personnel first responded to a call reporting cardiac arrest at the house.
Perry detailed his lengthy history of drug and alcohol abuse, including during his time on iconic ’90s sitcom, but TMZ reported that no drugs or alcohol were found at the home.
The LA County Medical Examiner listed Perry’s cause of death as “deferred” Sunday, which according to the office means that an autopsy has been completed, but an official cause of death has yet to be determined. That determination could hang on impending test results like, for example, a toxicology report.
Perry appeared in every episode during “Friends'” 10-season run from 1994-2004, making him one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors, starring opposite Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow and David Schwimmer.
Friends and family shared heartfelt messages about Perry on social media. In a statement to People Magazine, Perry’s family said, “We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother. 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.”
Warner Bros. Television group called Perry “an incredibly gifted actor and an indelible part of the Warner Bros. Television Group family.”
According to People, Perry is survived by his father, actor John Bennett Perry, his mother, journalist Suzanne Morrison, his stepfather, “Dateline” correspondent Keith Morrison, and five siblings — Caitlin Morrison, Emily Morrison, Will Morrison, Madeline Morrison and Maria Perry. source