The late Mr. Perry, renowned for his portrayal in the NBC sitcom “Friends,” which chronicled the lives of a clique of young urbanites residing in Manhattan, passed away on Saturday.
Matthew Perry, renowned for his portrayal of Chandler Bing in the highly acclaimed sitcom “Friends,” has passed away at the age of 54.
The confirmation of his demise was provided by Capt. Scot Williams from the Robbery-Homicide division of the Los Angeles Police Department. Although the exact cause of death is expected to remain undetermined for a considerable period, there is currently no evidence suggesting any foul play.
Mr. Perry gained significant recognition among American television viewers, as he appeared in more than 200 episodes throughout the entire ten-season run of “Friends,” the highly popular NBC series depicting the lives of a group of young professionals residing in Manhattan. Alongside esteemed actors such as Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, and Lisa Kudrow, Mr. Perry showcased his talent in portraying the character of Chandler Bing, who stood out for his sharp and sarcastic sense of humor.
“Friends” has maintained its popularity among young audiences in recent years, continuing to captivate viewers since its initial airing in 1994. Despite being widely recognized for his portrayal of Chandler Bing, Mr. Perry’s television career has spanned almost four decades, commencing with his earliest credit in 1979 as a young child in an episode of the cop show “240-Robert,” as stated by IMDb. At the age of 24, he successfully secured the role of Chandler Bing, marking a significant milestone in his professional journey.
In a 2002 interview with The New York Times, Mr. Perry expressed his aspiration to achieve fame, stating, “I was an individual driven by the desire to become renowned. The intensity of my ambition was palpable, as if steam was emanating from my ears. The allure of attention, wealth, and the privilege of occupying the finest seat in a restaurant consumed me. Regrettably, I failed to consider the potential consequences that would accompany my pursuit.”
In his recently published memoir titled “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing,” Mr. Perry candidly shared his prolonged struggle with substance abuse and its detrimental impact on his health. He revealed that his addiction had compelled him to seek refuge in treatment centers and sober living facilities for over half of his life.
In 1997, Mr. Perry sought rehabilitation due to his reported dependency on pain medication. Subsequently, in 2000, he was admitted to the hospital for pancreatitis, an inflammatory condition associated with alcohol and substance misuse.
The repercussions of his addiction manifested in a series of intricate complications in 2018. These encompassed pneumonia, a ruptured colon, a brief period of life support, a two-week coma, a nine-month reliance on a colostomy bag, and over twelve abdominal surgeries.
Two years ago, Mr. Perry, acknowledging his recent sobriety, made an appearance on a televised reunion of the “Friends” cast. During this reunion, the beloved stars revisited iconic sets such as the Central Perk coffee shop, engaging in playful banter about past episodes and indulging in nostalgic moments.
The news of Mr. Perry’s passing has led to an outpouring of tributes from fans across the globe, who have taken to social media to express their condolences.
“Matthew Perry led a complex life, but his innate ability to bring joy and laughter to others was an extraordinary talent,” expressed Brandon Lewis, a writer based in New York, in a heartfelt post on X.
