The One We Lost: Matthew Perry Dies
posted by Nicholas Robinson-Carter | November 7, 2023 | In Arts and Culture, NewsCanadian Actor Matthew Perry passed away on October 28 at the age of 54 due to drowning in a hot tub at his Pacific Palisades home in Los Angeles, California.
Perry was best known for the role of Chandler Bing in the ’90s sitcom Friends. He was associated with the line he used often on the show, “Could I be more…”
Perry had for years battled an addiction to drugs and alcohol, which he wrote about in his memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. However, with his recovery process, he wanted to help others survive the struggle he went through.
Perry began his acting career in the ’80s with his first starring role on TV in Boys Will Be Boys (1988). Perry played minor roles such as Growing Pains, Silver Spoons, and Charles in Charge.
Before Friends, he was on CBC sitcom Sydney as Valerie Bertinelli’s brother. But it was the smash hit in 1994 of Friends that cemented his place in pop culture.
After his success in TV series, Perry transitioned to film, appearing in Fools Rush In (1997) and The Whole Nine Yards (2000), co-starring with Bruce Willis.
Perry starred in 236 Friends episodes and was reunited with the cast to do a Friends reunion in 2021 on HBO Max.
Admired by fans and co-stars alike, Perry’s Friends co-stars and fellow actors eulogized him on social media. In one Instagram post, actress Maggie Wheeler, who played Janice on the sitcom, wrote, “What a loss. The world will miss you, Matthew Perry.
The joy you brought to so many in your short lifetime will live on. I feel so blessed by every creative moment we shared.”
In a statement released by Perry’s family, they stated: “Matthew brought so much delight to the world as an actor and friend. …Will cherish all the love everyone had for him.”
A foundation was launched in honor of Perry to help deal with the struggle of addiction.
Perry stated before his passing: “When I die, I don’t want Friends to be the first thing that”s mentioned — I want helping others to be the first thing that’s mentioned.”
Perry was laid to rest on Friday, November 3.
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