Matthew Perry was one of the most popular and talented actors of his generation, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the iconic sitcom Friends. He also starred in several movies and TV shows, and became an advocate for addiction recovery and mental health awareness. Sadly, he passed away on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54, due to acute effects of ketamine. In this blog post, we will celebrate his life and career, and pay tribute to his legacy.
Early Life and Education
Matthew Perry was born on August 19, 1969, in Williamstown, Massachusetts, to Suzanne Marie Langford, a Canadian journalist, and John Bennett Perry, an American actor and model. His parents divorced when he was one year old, and he moved to Ottawa, Ontario, with his mother, who later married Canadian broadcaster Keith Morrison. He had four younger maternal half-siblings and one younger paternal half-sister.
Perry developed an interest in acting and comedy at a young age, and also excelled in tennis, ranking among the top junior players in Canada. He attended Rockcliffe Park Public School and Ashbury College, a boarding school in Ottawa. He moved to Los Angeles at the age of 15 to live with his father and pursue his acting career. He graduated from The Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, California, in 1987.
Acting Career
Perry made his TV debut in 1979, appearing in a commercial for Old Spice. He landed his first major role in 1987, starring as Chilton Handy in the sitcom Boys Will Be Boys. He then appeared in several TV shows and movies, such as A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon, She’s Out of Control, Sydney, Home Free, and Beverly Hills, 90210.
His breakthrough came in 1994, when he was cast as Chandler Bing, the sarcastic and witty friend of the group, on the NBC sitcom Friends. The show was a huge success, becoming one of the most popular and influential TV shows of all time. Perry received critical acclaim and several awards and nominations for his performance, and became a household name and a global star. He also formed a close friendship with his co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer.
During his time on Friends, Perry also appeared in several movies, such as Fools Rush In, Almost Heroes, Three to Tango, The Whole Nine Yards, Serving Sara, and The Whole Ten Yards. He also guest-starred on other TV shows, such as The Simpsons, Ally McBeal, Scrubs, and The West Wing, for which he received an Emmy nomination.
After Friends ended in 2004, Perry continued to work in film and TV, starring in projects such as The Ron Clark Story, for which he received another Emmy nomination, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, 17 Again, Mr. Sunshine, Go On, The Odd Couple, The Good Wife, The Good Fight, The Kennedys: After Camelot, and Friends: The Reunion, which was his final TV appearance.
Perry also ventured into writing and producing, co-creating and co-writing the sitcom Mr. Sunshine, and co-developing and co-writing the revival of The Odd Couple. He also wrote and starred in the play The End of Longing, which debuted in London in 2016 and moved to New York in 2017.
Perry was also known for his voice work, lending his voice to characters such as Benny in the video game Fallout: New Vegas, and various roles in Family Guy and The Simpsons.
Personal Life and Activism
Perry struggled with substance abuse and addiction for many years, starting from his early days on Friends. He admitted to abusing alcohol, prescription drugs, and other substances, and checked into rehab several times. He also suffered from pancreatitis, which caused him to lose a significant amount of weight in 2000. He later said that he did not remember filming three seasons of Friends due to his addiction.
Perry eventually overcame his addiction and became sober, and used his experience to help others. He became a spokesperson for the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, and advocated for drug courts and treatment programs. He also opened his own sober living facility, called Perry House, in Malibu, California, in 2011. He received the Champion of Recovery Award from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in 2013, for his efforts to raise awareness and provide support for addiction recovery.
Perry was also open about his mental health issues, revealing that he suffered from depression and anxiety. He said that he used humor as a coping mechanism, and encouraged others to seek help and therapy. He also supported various charities and causes, such as UNICEF, PETA, Feeding America, and the Lili Claire Foundation.
Perry never married, but he had several high-profile relationships, such as with actresses Julia Roberts, Yasmine Bleeth, Lauren Graham, and Lizzy Caplan. He was also engaged to literary manager Molly Hurwitz from 2020 to 2021, but they broke up shortly before his death. He did not have any children.
Perry died on October 28, 2023, at his home in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California, due to acute effects of ketamine, according to the coroner’s report. He was 54 years old. His death shocked and saddened his fans, friends, and colleagues, who paid tribute to him on social media and in the press. He was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, California, next to his father, who died in 2020.
Legacy and Influence
Matthew Perry was one of the most beloved and respected actors and comedians of his generation, who left a lasting impression on millions of people around the world. He was known for his charm, wit, humor, and versatility, and for his iconic portrayal of Chandler Bing, one of the most memorable and relatable characters in TV history. He also inspired and helped many people with his honesty and courage in dealing with his addiction and mental health issues, and his advocacy and activism for recovery and wellness.
Perry’s work and legacy will continue to live on through his films, TV shows, and other projects, which will entertain and touch new generations of fans. He will also be remembered as a kind, generous, and loyal friend, who brought joy and laughter to everyone who knew him. He was a true legend and a hero, who will be greatly missed and never forgotten.
Matthew Perry Wife
Matthew Perry was never married, but he had several romantic relationships with famous actresses, such as Julia Roberts, Yasmine Bleeth, Lauren Graham, and Lizzy Caplan. He was also engaged to literary manager Molly Hurwitz from 2020 to 2021, but they broke up shortly before his death. He did not have any children
Matthew Perry Cause Of Death
According to the autopsy report obtained by various media outlets, Matthew Perry’s cause of death was the acute effects of ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic that can have hallucinogenic effects. Drowning, coronary artery disease, and buprenorphine effects (a medication used to treat opioid use disorder) were also listed as contributing factors in his death, which was ruled accidental. He was found unresponsive in the pool of his Los Angeles home on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54.
He had been on ketamine infusion therapy for his addiction and mental health issues, but the coroner stated that the ketamine in his system at death could not be from that therapy, since ketamine’s half-life is 3 to 4 hours, or less. He died from both cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression caused by the high levels of ketamine, and the likelihood of submersion into the pool as he lapsed into unconsciousness.
What Other Movies Has Matthew Perry Starred In?
Matthew Perry starred in many movies besides Friends: The Reunion, which was his last film appearance. Some of his most notable movies are:
Fools Rush In (1997): A romantic comedy where he plays Alex Whitman, a New York architect who falls in love with Isabel Fuentes (Salma Hayek), a Mexican photographer, after a one-night stand.
The Whole Nine Yards (2000): A crime comedy where he plays Oz Oseransky, a dentist who becomes entangled with his new neighbor Jimmy “The Tulip” Tudeski (Bruce Willis), a former hitman.
17 Again (2009): A fantasy comedy where he plays Mike O’Donnell, a 37-year-old man who is unhappy with his life and gets a chance to relive his high school days as his 17-year-old self (Zac Efron).
The Ron Clark Story (2006): A biographical drama where he plays Ron Clark, a teacher who leaves his small town in North Carolina to teach in a challenging inner-city school in New York.
These are just some of the movies that Matthew Perry starred in. You can find more information about his filmography on IMDb or Wikipedia.
Has Matthew Perry Won Any Awards?
Yes, Matthew Perry has won several awards for his acting and comedy work, such as:
The TV Guide Award for Editor’s Choice in 2000, shared with his Friends co-stars.
The Online Film & Television Association Award for Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series in 2002, also shared with his Friends co-stars.
The Huading Award for Best Global Actor in a TV Series in 2015, for his role in The Odd Couple.
He was also nominated for many other prestigious awards, such as the Golden Globe, the Primetime Emmy, the Screen Actors Guild, and the Teen Choice Awards. He was widely recognized and appreciated for his talent and charisma.
What Is Matthew Perry's Net Worth?
Matthew Perry’s net worth was estimated to be around $120 million as of 2024. He earned most of his wealth from his successful acting career, especially from his role as Chandler Bing on Friends, for which he received a salary of $1 million per episode in the last two seasons. He also made money from his film appearances, his writing and producing projects, his voice work, and his residuals from the syndication of Friends.
Controversy And Activism Of Matthew Perry
Matthew Perry was not only a famous actor and comedian, but also a person who faced many challenges and controversies in his life, and who tried to make a positive difference in the world. Here are some of the main aspects of his controversy and activism:
Addiction and recovery: Perry struggled with alcoholism and drug addiction for most of his adult life, starting from his early days on Friends. He abused various substances, such as alcohol, Vicodin, methadone, amphetamines, and ketamine, and checked into rehab several times. He also suffered from health problems, such as pancreatitis, weight loss, and gastrointestinal issues, as a result of his addiction. He eventually became sober and used his experience to help others who were facing similar issues. He became a spokesperson for the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, and advocated for drug courts and treatment programs. He also opened his own sober living facility, called Perry House, in Malibu, California, in 2011. He received the Champion of Recovery Award from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in 2013, for his efforts to raise awareness and provide support for addiction recovery.
Mental health awareness: Perry was also open about his mental health issues, revealing that he suffered from depression and anxiety. He said that he used humor as a coping mechanism, and encouraged others to seek help and therapy. He also supported various charities and causes, such as UNICEF, PETA, Feeding America, and the Lili Claire Foundation, which helps children with neurogenetic disorders.
Keanu Reeves comment: Perry sparked controversy in 2022, when he made a disrespectful comment about Keanu Reeves in his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. He wrote that he once met Reeves at a party, and told him that he looked like a “homeless man”. He also wrote that he felt superior to Reeves, because he was more famous and successful at the time. He later apologized for his remark, saying that he was “young and stupid” and that he regretted hurting Reeves’ feelings. He also praised Reeves for his kindness and generosity, and said that he was a fan of his work.
Conclusion
To conclude, Matthew Perry was a remarkable actor and comedian, who entertained and inspired millions of people with his work and his personality. He was also a brave and compassionate person, who faced his demons and helped others overcome theirs. He left behind a rich and diverse legacy, that will be cherished and remembered by his fans, friends, and family. He was a true legend and a hero, who will be greatly missed and never forgotten. Rest in peace, Matthew Perry.
