Matthew Perry, star of Friends, dies at 54

Photo: EPA

Matthew Perry, the actor who played the sarcastic and witty Chandler Bing on the hit sitcom Friends, has died at the age of 54. He was found dead in his home on Saturday, October 28, 2023, of an apparent drowning accident. His co-stars, colleagues and fans have expressed their shock and grief over his tragic death.

Perry’s career and achievements

Perry was born in Williamstown, Massachusetts, on August 19, 1969. He moved to Ottawa, Canada, with his mother when he was a child, and later pursued acting in Los Angeles. He made his television debut in 1979, and appeared in several shows and movies before landing the role of Chandler Bing on Friends in 1994. Friends was a huge success, and Perry became one of the most popular and highest-paid actors in Hollywood. He received several awards and nominations for his performance, including an Emmy nomination in 2002.

Perry also starred in other projects, such as The Whole Nine Yards, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Mr. Sunshine, The Odd Couple, and The Kennedys After Camelot. He also co-created and co-wrote the play The End of Longing, which he starred in both in London and New York. He was also a voice actor, lending his voice to characters in video games such as Fallout: New Vegas and The Simpsons Game.

Perry’s personal life and struggles

Perry had a turbulent personal life, marked by addiction and health issues. He struggled with alcoholism and prescription drug abuse for years, and went to rehab several times. He also suffered from pancreatitis, which caused him to lose weight drastically. He was candid about his struggles, and became an advocate for addiction recovery. He even turned his former home into a sober living facility called Perry House.

Perry never married, but he had several high-profile relationships with celebrities such as Julia Roberts, Yasmine Bleeth, Lauren Graham, and Lizzy Caplan. He was most recently linked to Molly Hurwitz, a talent manager who he got engaged to in November 2020. However, they reportedly split up in June 2021.

Perry’s death and reactions

Perry was found dead in his home on Saturday, October 28, 2023, by his housekeeper. The cause of death was determined to be accidental drowning. According to sources, Perry had fallen asleep in his bathtub after taking some medication. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

His death sent shockwaves across the entertainment industry and the world. His co-stars from Friends paid tribute to him on social media, sharing their memories and condolences. Jennifer Aniston wrote: “My heart is broken. I loved you so much Matty. You were my brother, my friend, my partner in crime. You made me laugh like no one else. You will always be in my heart.” David Schwimmer posted: “I’m devastated by the loss of my dear friend Matthew Perry. He was a brilliant actor, a generous soul, and a loyal friend. He brought joy to millions of people with his humor and talent. I will miss him terribly.” Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and Matthew Perry also expressed their sorrow and love for Perry.

Other celebrities and fans also mourned Perry’s death online, sharing their favorite moments from his work and sending their thoughts and prayers to his family and friends. Some of the celebrities who paid tribute to Perry include Ellen DeGeneres, Jimmy Kimmel, Reese Witherspoon, Tom Hanks, Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Kevin Hart, Dwayne Johnson, Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter.

Matthew Perry was a talented and beloved actor who left a lasting legacy on television and film. He was best known for his role as Chandler Bing on Friends, but he also had a diverse and impressive career in other genres and mediums. He had a difficult personal life, but he overcame his challenges and became an inspiration for many people. He died unexpectedly at the age of 54 of an accidental drowning. His death has saddened millions of fans around the world who grew up watching him on screen. He will be remembered as a funny, charming, and kind person who made people smile.