'Friends' TV Show Main Character Found dead
Matthew Perry, renowned for his role in “Friends,” was tragically found dead at his L.A. residence on Saturday, specifically in his hot tub. He was 54 years old.
Around 4 p.m., officials arrived at his residence after he was found lifeless. While the investigation is still ongoing, insiders who wished to remain anonymous indicated there wasn't an evident cause of death, but there were no indications of any foul play either. Perry's representative has yet to comment on the matter when approached by The Times.
The case is currently under scrutiny by the Los Angeles Police Department's robbery-homicide division. The Los Angeles County coroner will provide a definitive cause of death in due course.
Born to John Bennett Perry, an actor, and Suzanne Marie Langford, who once served as press secretary for Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, Perry split his childhood between Montreal and L.A. following his parents' separation when he was just a year old.
Perry embarked on his acting journey as a youngster, making appearances in shows like “Charles in Charge” and “Beverly Hills 90210.” He also acted alongside River Phoenix in the movie “A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon” during the 1980s and the beginning of the 1990s.
However, it was the show “Friends,” initially named “Friends Like Us,” that shot him to stardom. Debuting in 1994, this NBC sitcom about six single individuals living in New York quickly gained immense popularity. Perry, alongside co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer, experienced meteoric rises in their careers due to the show's success.
Portraying Chandler Bing, with his iconic humor and charm, Perry became a standout member of a talented cast. His character's distinctive style of humor even became a popular catchphrase: Could he be any more Chandler? As his fame grew, Perry began working with big names like Julia Roberts and starred with Salma Hayek in “Fools Rush In.”
Despite his successful career, Perry had his battles. His 2022 autobiography, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” delves into his addiction struggles. He had been hospitalized for five months in 2018 due to a severe health issue. In a 2021 “Friends” reunion, he admitted that the pressure of performing live took a toll on him.
In a past interview with The Times, Perry reflected on fame, stating, “I was 25, it was the second year of ‘Friends,’ and eight months into it, I realized the American dream is not making me happy, not filling the holes in my life. ... Fame does not do what you think it’s going to do. It was all a trick.”
Even with his personal challenges, Perry remained a familiar face on TV, with roles in “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” “Go On,” and guest spots in “The West Wing” and “The Good Wife.” Post his 2018 health scare, he focused on writing, friendships, and playing pickleball.
Although he achieved immense success in acting and writing, Perry stated that he wished to be remembered for more than just his professional accomplishments. He once mentioned, “As a guy who lived life, loved well, lived well and helped people. That running into me was a good thing, and not something bad.”