Matthew Perry, renowned for his role in the TV series ‘Friends,’ was found dead in a hot tub at his Los Angeles residence Saturday, reported LA Times quoting law enforcement officials familiar with the incident. He was 54.
The circumstances surrounding his death have left fans in shock.
Matthew Perry rose to fame for his iconic role as Chandler Bing on the television series “Friends.” The show, which aired from 1994 to 2004, became a cultural phenomenon, and Perry’s portrayal of the sarcastic and endearing Chandler made him a household name. He earned critical acclaim for his performance and several award nominations during the show’s run.
He also received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Ron Clark in “The Ron Clark Story,” which helped establish him as a versatile actor in both television and film. He also had a successful career in theatre, including appearances in plays like “The End of Longing.” Beyond acting, he worked as a writer and producer on various projects.
Born to John Bennett Perry, an actor, and Suzanne Morrison, a Canadian journalist, Mattew was raised by his mother in Ottawa after his parents divorced before he was a year old. He attended Ashbury College and later studied at The Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, California.
Matthew Perry had been open about his struggles with addiction, particularly during his time on “Friends.” He later sought treatment for his substance abuse issues and was an advocate for addiction recovery and mental health awareness.
“‘Friends’ was huge. I couldn’t jeopardize that. I had a secret, and no one could know,” he wrote in his memoir, “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing.”
He described going through detox 65 times, spending some $9 million in attempts to get sober.
Perry dedicated the book to “all of the sufferers out there,” and wrote in the prologue: “I should be dead.”