Matthew Perry, celebrated for his iconic portrayal of Chandler Bing in the globally adored sitcom, Friends, embarked on a multifaceted career that extended beyond the laughter-filled confines of Central Perk. However, his journey was not merely one of comedic triumphs and on-screen success, it was a complex narrative woven with personal battles, including a public struggle with addiction that ultimately shaped the final chapters of his life.
In October 2023, the untimely news of Perry’s passing was announced. While his demise was mourned by all and sundry, the circumstances regarding his death cast a poignant shadow over his legacy in the eyes of some people.
Matthew Perry biography
Matthew Langford Perry (August 19, 1969 – October 28, 2023) was a thespian with dual citizenship of both the United States of America and Canada.
Perry was born in Williamstown, situated in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. His mother, Suzanne Marie Morrison (née Langford, born 1948), served as a press secretary to Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, while his father, John Bennett Perry (born 1941), was an American actor and former model.
His parents parted ways when he was merely one year old, leading his mother to marry the Canadian broadcast journalist, Keith Morrison. Raised predominantly by his mother in Ottawa, Ontario, Perry also had brief stints in Toronto and Montreal. He attended Rockcliffe Park Public School and Ashbury College, a boarding school in Ottawa.
Perry had four younger maternal half-siblings— Caitlin, Emily, Will, and Madeline— as well as a younger paternal half-sister named Maria.
Troubles arose for Perry by the age of 10, for stealing money, smoking, declining grades, and engaging in altercations, including one with future Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Perry attributed this turbulent period to feeling like an outsider in his family dynamic. By 14, he turned to alcohol and drank daily by the time he reached 18.
Although Perry initially excelled in tennis, practising for up to 10 hours daily and achieving a top ranking in Canada, he moved to Los Angeles in America at 15 to live with his father, where the competition proved more formidable.
During high school, he honed his skills in improvisational comedy at L.A. Connection in Sherman Oaks. At the age of 15, Perry began his acting journey at the Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, and graduated in 1987.
ALSO READ: Nigel Lythgoe: Entertainer whose storied career tainted over sexual assault allegations
Matthew Perry career
Perry’s acting career began on the sunlit shores of Los Angeles. Carrying the acting bug from a young age, Perry secured his inaugural credited role at the tender age of 12 in the TV series, 240-Robert. This opportunity ignited a fervour that propelled him through numerous auditions and guest spots on shows such as Charles in Charge and Silver Spoons.
The year 1987 marked a significant turn for Perry. The actor clinched a leading role in the sitcom, Second Chance, which was later rebranded as Boys Will Be Boys. Despite its brevity, the show showcased his comedic timing and paved the way for more substantial opportunities. In the subsequent year, he was featured in A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon.
While the film did not set the box office ablaze, it provided Perry with a platform to showcase his dramatic prowess. In 1994, everything transformed for Perry. Friends burst onto the scene and propelled Perry and his five co-stars to superstardom. Portraying the sarcastic and self-deprecating Chandler Bing, Perry captured hearts with his witty one-liners and endearing vulnerability.
Friends transcended the sitcom realm as it evolved into a cultural phenomenon. Spanning 10 seasons, it amassed numerous awards and solidified Perry’s status as a comic virtuoso. His performance earned him an Emmy nomination and a legion of devoted fans.
While Friends dominated a substantial portion of Perry’s career, he resisted being pigeonholed. Exploring dramatic roles, he made guest appearances on shows like Ally McBeal and The West Wing and got Emmy nominations for both. Perry even ventured into directing, overseeing episodes of Friends and Scrubs.
In March 2017, Perry, once again, took on the role of attorney Mike Kresteva in The Good Fight, a sequel series to the CBS drama, The Good Wife. Later that same year, he portrayed Ted Kennedy in the mini-series, The Kennedys: After Camelot.
In May 2021, Perry participated in the special episode, Friends: The Reunion. While initially slated to feature in Don’t Look Up, he withdrew in 2020 due to broken ribs induced during CPR. Perry released a memoir titled Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing in October 2022. The memoir achieved bestseller status on both Amazon and The New York Times charts.
Addiction
Perry’s battles with addiction and health challenges formed a significant chapter of his narrative, as he revealed to the world in his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.
The roots of Perry’s addiction were planted early on. He commenced consuming alcohol at a young age and sought refuge in it to navigate anxieties and insecurities. As his career soared with Friends, the demands to uphold his image and the rigorous shooting schedule fueled his dependence on alcohol and prescription painkillers, particularly Vicodin.
By the third season of Friends, Perry’s addiction had spiralled out of control. He reportedly consumed 55 Vicodin pills daily, which resulted in numerous health complications. In 1997, he entered rehab for the first time, initiating a cycle that repeated itself for the next two decades.
Navigating through numerous stints in rehab, Perry grappled with the challenge of conquering his addiction. He suffered from pancreatitis, often associated with alcohol and opioid misuse, and spent time in the hospital in 2000. Despite setbacks with each relapse, Perry persisted in seeking treatment, exploring different methods and medications in his determination to break free.
In 2018, Perry’s battle reached a critical juncture. A life-threatening colon burst and subsequent coma served as a harrowing wake-up call, with doctors giving him a mere two per cent chance of survival. This near-death experience marked a turning point. He spent five months in the hospital and underwent extensive medical interventions.
ALSO READ: James McCaffrey: Hollywood actor who lost his life to blood cancer
Matthew Perry movies
Here’s a comprehensive list of Perry’s movies
Early beginnings (1988-1994)
- A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon (1988)
- She’s Out of Control (1989)
- Second Chance (1987)
- Call Me Anna (1990)
- Friends (1994-2004): Iconic sitcom that propelled Perry to global fame.
Comedy capers (1997-2002)
- Fools Rush In (1997)
- Almost Heroes (1998)
- Three to Tango (1999)
- The Whole Nine Yards (2000)
- Serving Sara (2002)
Genre exploration (2004-2009)
- The Whole Ten Yards (2004)
- Friends with Money (2006)
- Numb (2007)
- 17 Again (2009)
Later roles (2010-2023)
- Mr. Sunshine (2011)
- The Odd Couple (2015-2017)
- Birds of America (2008)
- The Ron Clark Story (2006)
Matthew Perry’s net worth
Perry had an estimated net worth of $120 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Matthew Perry family
In 1995, Perry was in a relationship with Yasmine Bleeth, followed by a relationship with Julia Roberts from 1995 to 1996. Subsequently, he dated Lizzy Caplan from 2006 to 2012. In November 2020,
Perry announced his engagement to literary manager Molly Hurwitz. However, their engagement was cancelled in 2021.
Matthew Perry age
Perry was born on August 19, 1969. He died at the age of 54.
Matthew Perry death
On October 28, 2023, Perry was discovered unresponsive in a hot tub at his residence in Los Angeles and was declared deceased at 4:17 pm on that day, at the age of 54. His funeral took place on November 3, 2023, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, where he was laid to rest. Attendees included his five Friends co-stars, along with his father, mother and stepfather.
The funeral featured the playing of the Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush song, “Don’t Give Up”, a track Perry held in high regard. He often referenced it in signed copies of his autobiography, released partly to aid those grappling with depression or addiction issues.
Following his passing, the National Philanthropic Trust established the “Matthew Perry Foundation” to provide support for individuals struggling with addiction.
On December 15, 2023, it was disclosed that Perry’s demise resulted from the “acute effects of ketamine”. Contributing circumstances included the impact of buprenorphine, drowning and coronary artery disease. The LA County medical examiner explained that “at the high levels of ketamine found in his post-mortem blood specimens, the main lethal effects would be from both cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression”.
Additionally, “drowning contributes due to the likelihood of submersion into the pool as he lapsed into unconsciousness; coronary artery disease contributes due to exacerbation of ketamine-induced myocardial effects on the heart”, the examiner stated.
Perry had been undergoing ketamine-assisted psychotherapy sessions to address anxiety at the time of his passing, with the last known session occurring a week before his death. However, the report clarified that “the ketamine in his system at death could not be from that infusion therapy since ketamine’s half-life is 3 to 4 hours or less.”
ALSO READ: Jeremy Renner: Recovering from broken bones and back in the saddle