US actor Matthew Perry, famous for his portrayal of the wisecracking Chandler Bing in the beloved ‘90s TV sitcom Friends, has passed away at the age of 54. Law enforcement sources reported that he was found dead at his residence in Los Angeles.
Perry’s most iconic role was in Friends, a show that followed the lives of six young friends in New York City and ran from 1994 to 2004.
Its final episode, which drew 52.5 million viewers in the US, remains one of the most-watched TV episodes of the 2000s.
Reports from the LA Times and TMZ indicated that Perry was found unresponsive in a hot tub. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a “water emergency” at the location.
Born in Massachusetts in 1969 and raised in Ottawa, Canada. Perry attended elementary school with Justin Trudeau, who would later become the Prime Minister of Canada.
Trudeau expressed his condolences, reminiscing about their schoolyard games and acknowledging Perry’s impact on people worldwide.
Perry moved to Los Angeles during his teenage years and began his career in shows like Boys Will Be Boys and Growing Pains.
However, he achieved international stardom through Friends. Where he portrayed Chandler Bing. A character known for his witty one-liners and childish antics with his roommate, Joey Tribbiani. Perry received an Emmy nomination in 2002 for his performance on the show.
While at the peak of his fame. Perry struggled with addiction to painkillers and alcohol, leading to multiple stays in rehabilitation clinics. In 2016, he revealed that he couldn’t remember three years of filming Friends due to substance abuse.
Perry experienced health issues, including a burst colon in 2018, related to his drug use, which required multiple surgeries.
The entertainment world and fans of “Friends” grieve Matthew Perry’s loss. His vital role in the show’s success and his enduring TV impact are widely recognized.
Perry also gained acclaim in film and TV, with notable works like “The West Wing” and “Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip.” Co-stars, including Maggie Wheeler, have thanked him for the joy he brought. Perry leaves a legacy of exceptional acting and lasting industry influence.
Matthew Perry’s final Instagram post, shared just days ago. Features him relaxing by a rooftop pool and has since garnered an outpouring of tributes from fans.
Five half-siblings and Perry’s parents, John Bennett Perry and Suzanne Perry, are still alive. He never married and had no children.
