Entertainment

‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry found dead at 54

By Jake Beardslee · October 28, 2023

Beloved ‘Friends’ actor Matthew Perry has died at the age of 54, according to law enforcement sources speaking to TMZ. Perry, best known for his portrayal of the sarcastic but lovable Chandler Bing on the hit 1990s sitcom, was reportedly found unresponsive in a jacuzzi at his Los Angeles-area home on Saturday. First responders had rushed to the scene for a suspected cardiac arrest call, but found no drugs at the location. Foul play is not suspected.

Perry starred in all 10 seasons and 234 episodes of ‘Friends’ as one of the six main characters, endearing himself to fans worldwide with Chandler’s self-deprecating humor and unforgettable catchphrases. Though ‘Friends’ marked the height of his fame, Perry had a prolific TV career before and after, with roles on shows like ‘Growing Pains,’ ‘Beverly Hills, 90210,’ ‘The West Wing,’ and ‘The Odd Couple.’ He also appeared in films like ‘Fools Rush In’ and ‘The Whole Nine Yards.’ More recently, Perry had largely withdrawn from acting since 2017, though he did reunite with his ‘Friends’ costars last year for a highly anticipated reunion special.

While Perry projected an upbeat, comedic persona onscreen, he privately battled addictions to alcohol and prescription painkillers like Vicodin, even during his ‘Friends’ heyday. He was in and out of rehab multiple times and opened up about his substance abuse struggles in a memoir published last year. Perry also faced health issues over the years, including emergency surgery for a gastrointestinal perforation.

Perry, who never married, had been briefly engaged to Molly Hurwitz for six months before they split in 2021. He was 54 years old.