Matthew Perry, celebrated for his portrayal as Chandler Bing in the beloved series “Friends,” has departed this world at the age of 54. As per reports from the Los Angeles Times and the renowned celebrity hub TMZ, the Emmy-nominated artist was discovered lifeless on a Saturday (in local time), within his Los Angeles residence, seemingly due to an unfortunate incident of drowning in his hot tub
TMZ was the first to report this news, and both sources cited unnamed police officials confirming Perry’s death.
In spite of various efforts to establish contact, his team of publicists and other spokespersons has, as of now, remained unresponsive. When the Associated Press (AP) asked about the police response at Perry’s listed home address, LAPD Officer Drake Madison mentioned that officers had been there “for a death investigation of a male in his 50s.”
Matthew Perry’s impressive tenure spanning ten seasons on “Friends” solidified his status as one of Hollywood’s most easily identifiable actors. He shared the screen with Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, and David Schwimmer, depicting the close-knit group of friends living in the heart of New York City.
In his role as Chandler, he portrayed a sarcastic, insecure, and neurotic roommate, living with Joey and Ross, played by LeBlanc and Schwimmer, respectively. By the end of the series, Chandler had married Monica, played by Cox, and they had started a family, reflecting the core cast’s journey from single New Yorkers to married individuals beginning their own families.
Maggie Wheeler, who played Chandler’s on-and-off love interest Janice, was one of the first to pay tribute to Perry.
Actress Paget Brewster, who took on the role of Perry’s romantic interest in several episodes of “Friends,” expressed on social media how he showed kindness to her during her time on the show and throughout the years that followed.
Brewster asked her followers to read Perry’s book, as it was his legacy to help.
“He won’t rest in peace, though… He’s already too busy making everyone laugh up there.”
Another actress who starred alongside Perry in his career, Selma Blair, expressed her heartbreak upon hearing the news.
“My dearest old friend. We all shared a profound fondness for Matthew Perry, and I, in particular, held him in the highest esteem.” Every day.
“Sweet dreams Matty. Sweet Dreams.”
“Friends” was one of television’s biggest hits and has gained surprising popularity with younger fans on streaming services in recent years.
The series ran from 1994 to 2004, and the cast notably came together for later seasons to negotiate a salary of $1 million each per episode.
In the previous year, Perry unveiled a memoir under the title “Companions, Romantics, and the Enormous Life-Altering Event,” where he delved into the intricacies of his journey through addiction and recovery.
“‘Friends’ was huge. I couldn’t jeopardize that. I loved the script.
“I adored every facet of the series, yet I grappled with my personal demons, further intensifying my feelings of guilt,” he penned in his memoir
I harbored a concealed truth, one I couldn’t allow anyone to discover
“I had this overwhelming sensation that my very existence hinged on the live audience’s laughter, and I recognized that this was undoubtedly an unhealthy mindset,” he reflected But I could There were occasions when I would deliver a line, and the audience’s reaction would be silence, causing me to perspire and occasionally even experience physical convulsions,” Perry reflected.
“If the laughter I anticipated didn’t materialize, it would send me into a state of intense anxiety,” he admitted. I felt that every single night. This intense pressure pushed me into a difficult and challenging state of mind. I was also acutely aware that among the six individuals involved in the show, only one was battling an illness.
In 2021, a reunion special hosted by James Corden reignited interest in seeing the cast together again, even though the HBO Max reunion was a discussion about the show and not a continuation of their characters’ storylines.
Perry secured a single Emmy nod for his portrayal in “Friends” and earned an additional pair for his contributions as an associate White House counsel in “The West Wing.”
He further graced the big screen with his presence, taking on memorable roles such as his co-starring position with Salma Hayek in the heartwarming romantic comedy “Fools Rush In” and his partnership with Bruce Willis in the witty crime comedy “The Complete Nine Yards.”