Actor Matthew Perry, renowned for his role as Chandler Bing in the hit TV series “Friends,” passed away at the age of 54. His death was confirmed by NBC, the network that aired “Friends” for a decade.
NBC Entertainment expressed deep sadness, acknowledging Perry’s comedic talent and humor that brought joy to millions. He was found dead in a hot tub or jacuzzi according to reports from law enforcement sources.
Matthew Perry’s last Instagram post, shared on October 23, featured a photo of him sitting beside a pool or jacuzzi. The actor had penned a caption that humorously said, “Oh, so warm water swirling around makes you feel good? I’m Mattman.”
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Perry’s most iconic role was as Chandler in “Friends,” a series that achieved enormous popularity and international fame. The show ran for ten seasons from 1994 to 2004, starring Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, and Lisa Kudrow.
The reunion of the entire cast occurred 17 years after the series finale, which was celebrated in a special episode aired on HBO Max in 2021. During its original run, “Friends” became one of the most-watched US TV programs.
Despite his immense success, Perry struggled with addiction to prescription drugs and alcohol, a battle he documented in his 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing.” In the book, he candidly shared his journey to sobriety, revealing that he had been clean for 18 months.
After “Friends,” Perry starred in several TV shows that had shorter lifespans, such as “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” “Mr. Sunshine,” and “Go On.” Throughout his career, he made guest appearances in popular TV series and featured in films like “Fools Rush In,” “The Whole Nine Yards,” “Almost Heroes,” and “Three to Tango.”
Matthew Perry’s upbringing involved moving to Ottawa after his parents’ divorce. His mother, a Canadian journalist who had served as press secretary to former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, remarried a Canadian broadcast personality.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was a childhood friend of Perry’s, expressed his shock and sadness at the actor’s death, recalling the schoolyard games they used to play and Perry’s enduring impact on people worldwide.
Perry, a former top-ranked junior tennis player, relocated to Los Angeles to pursue acting and improvisational comedy.
