Tragic News: ‘Friends’ Actor Matthew Perry, 54, Dies in Apparent Drowning

Matthew Perry, the beloved actor best known for playing the witty and sarcastic Chandler Bing on the hit sitcom ‘Friends,’ was found dead on Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles. He was 54 years old.

According to law enforcement sources who spoke to TMZ, Perry’s body was discovered in the jacuzzi at his home in the upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood around 4pm. Paramedics had rushed to the scene following a 911 call reporting a cardiac arrest. It’s unclear who placed the call.

The sources stated that no drugs were found at the property and no foul play is suspected in Perry’s death. The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed responding to a home on Blue Sail Road for a death investigation involving a man in his 50s on Saturday afternoon.

While the official cause of death has yet to be determined, drowning appears to be the likely cause according to early reports. The tragic news comes just days after Perry posted a foreboding photo on Instagram showing himself relaxing in a hot tub with the caption “Oh, so warm water swirling around makes you feel good? I’m Mattman.”

Perry had been open about his lifelong battle with substance abuse issues and health problems in recent years. His 2021 memoir ‘Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing’ chronicled his struggles with alcohol and opioids, which led to numerous stints in rehab.

The actor said he went to rehab 15 times over the years and underwent 14 surgeries for gastrointestinal issues related to opioid overuse. In 2018, he nearly died from a gastrointestinal perforation that left him in a coma for two weeks and hospitalized for five months. He called it a “Hail Mary” that he survived.

Last year while promoting his memoir, a sober Perry said he had spent around $9 million trying to get clean over the decades. He claimed to have been sober since 2021. However, his past substance abuse had done severe damage to his health.

Perry shot to worldwide fame in 1994 when he was cast as Chandler Bing on the NBC smash hit ‘Friends’ at the age of 24. His co-stars on the long-running sitcom included Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer.

As Chandler, Perry played the group’s most sarcastic member who used humor as a defense mechanism. His performance resonated deeply with viewers and Chandler remains one of the most beloved sitcom characters. Along with his co-stars, Perry became a bonafide star and household name during the peak years of ‘Friends’ unprecedented success.

The show ran for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004 on NBC and was a pop culture phenomenon. To this day it remains one of the most popular shows in syndicated reruns and on streaming.

But while Perry was making millions laugh on screen, behind the scenes he was secretly battling serious addiction issues. His alcoholism started around the same time he was cast on ‘Friends.’ Then in 1997, he began taking prescription opioids after an injury.

It spiraled out of control, with the actor admitting he was taking 55 Vicodin pills a day at the height of his addiction. His weight drastically dropped to as low as 145 pounds due to the substance abuse.

Perry managed to achieve sobriety during season 9 of ‘Friends,’ but after the show ended he suffered relapses. His addiction, trips to rehab and health issues continued behind closed doors for years after ‘Friends’ left the air.

His former castmates were aware of his problems and tried to help him, along with fans who noticed his slurred speech and worrying appearance at the 2015 ‘Friends’ reunion.

The Canadian-American actor was born Matthew Langford Perry in 1969 outside of Boston, Massachusetts but raised in Ottawa, Canada after his parents split and his mother moved back to Canada when he was a baby.

He started acting as a teenager before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in Hollywood. His early roles included guest appearances on ‘Growing Pains’ and ‘Beverly Hills 90210.’

In addition to ‘Friends,’ Perry starred on other hit shows including ‘Go On,’ ‘The Odd Couple,’ and ‘The Kennedys: After Camelot’ more recently. His film roles included ‘Fools Rush In,’ ‘Almost Heroes’ and ’17 Again.’

Perry dated several high-profile women over the years including Julia Roberts and Lizzy Caplan. He was briefly engaged to literary manager Molly Hurwitz before they ended their relationship in 2021. He had no children.

Following the news of Perry’s shocking death at a young 54, tributes immediately began pouring in on social media from saddened fans and former co-stars.

His ‘Friends’ co-star Jennifer Aniston wrote on Instagram: “We first met as friends, but you quickly became family. My consolation is knowing that now you can be with your beloved father again. I’ll miss you forever, buddy.”

Matt LeBlanc, who played Joey on ‘Friends,’ gave a statement: “I’m shocked and devastated by the tragic loss of my dear friend. Not only was Matthew a comic genius, but he had the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever known. He will be deeply missed.”

Lisa Kudrow said she was at a loss for words over the passing of her close friend and co-star Matthew Perry. “I’m sending my deepest condolences to his family. The world lost a comedic genius today.”

David Schwimmer added: “Matthew meant so much to me and millions around the world. He brought so much joy and laughter into our lives. My thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time.”

Courteney Cox, who played Monica Geller on the show and directed several episodes, posted a recent photo of her and Perry on Instagram and wrote: “I’ll treasure all the memories we shared. You will live on in the hearts of everyone who loved you, Matthew.”

The writers and producers behind ‘Friends’ also released a statement expressing their grief over the shocking loss: “Matthew was an uniquely talented actor gifted with comedic genius. Our years working together on ‘Friends’ were some of the happiest of our lives. He brought joy to fans everywhere and we are heartbroken he was taken too soon.”

Perry’s family has requested privacy to mourn their tragic loss. His mother, actress Suzanne Perry, father John Bennett Perry, and stepfather Keith Morrison were spotted arriving at his LA home looking distraught after getting word of his death.

Matthew Perry’s unlikely rise to fame from a Canadian childhood rife with insecurities to becoming one of the biggest TV stars in the world along with his heartbreaking battle with addiction came to a sad end at just 54 years old. The beloved star will live on forever through his iconic and Emmy-nominated performance as Chandler Bing and in future generations discovering ‘Friends‘ for the first time.

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