Matthew Perry: A Glimpse into His Last Days, Lifelong Battle with Addiction, and Parting Desire

Matthew Perry, known for his role on the popular TV show Friends, was found dead in his Jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home on October 28 at the age of 54. However, hours before his tragic death, Perry was engaging in an activity he had grown fond of: playing pickleball. According to his former coach, Matthew Manasse, Perry had been hitting the courts four to five days a week for the past two years and was committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Perry's dedication to pickleball brought him joy and it is difficult to comprehend the reality of his untimely demise.

Perry's spirits had noticeably improved in recent months, as reported by many. Despite his ongoing struggle with alcohol and drug addiction, which he openly discussed in his 2022 memoir titled "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing," he had been focusing on his physical fitness and spending quality time with his loved ones, often engaging in sports activities.

On October 29th, a joint statement was issued by his family, expressing their immense grief over the tragic loss of their beloved son and brother. They emphasized Matthew's ability to bring joy to the world, both through his acting and his friendships, and conveyed their gratitude for the overwhelming display of love and support from others.

As of press time, authorities were waiting on toxicology reports before announcing Perry’s official cause of death.

According to a close source, Perry was a unique individual who simply aimed to bring joy through laughter. He found great pleasure in spending quality time with friends at home and cherishing moments with his family. Additionally, he made a conscious effort to remain active and engaged in various activities.

On October 21, he was seen having lunch with a friend at The Apple Pan, a famous burger restaurant in L.A. He had been keeping his fans updated through social media posts. On October 15, he shared a photo on Instagram where he smiled alongside his father, John.

On the same day, he had a text conversation with his former co-star from the movie A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon, Ione Skye. After his passing, the actress shared a screenshot of their conversation on Instagram. In the conversation, Perry mentioned that Skye was on his mind and that he had taken up meditation ("I meditate now," he wrote).

“Generally,” says the second source, “Matthew was doing a whole lot better.”

According to an eyewitness, Perry appeared ordinary during his visit to The Apple Pan on October 21. Perry rose to fame for his portrayal of Chandler Bing on the television show Friends, which aired from 1994 to 2004. Known for his sharp humor and sarcastic remarks, he even received an Emmy nomination for his role. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Perry transitioned to the film industry, starring in Fools Rush In and The Whole Nine Yards alongside Bruce Willis.

He was not only one of the biggest stars in the world, but also the highest paid. Towards the end of Friends, Perry and his fellow cast members were earning $1 million for each episode. However, behind the scenes, his life was being destroyed by addiction. At his lowest, he was consuming 55 Vicodin pills daily and his weight had plummeted to just 128 pounds. "I didn't know how to quit," Perry admitted. "The disease and addiction are progressive, getting worse with age."

In his candid revelations about his struggles with alcohol and drug addiction, Perry held nothing back. In his book, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, he recounted the ordeal of spending two months in a coma and five months in the hospital after his colon ruptured in 2018 due to excessive drug use. Enduring a seven-hour surgery, doctors informed his family that he had a mere two percent chance of survival. Perry wrote, "At that point, it was almost certain that I would die."

In 2020, while under the influence of "1,800 milligrams of hydrocodone," he proposed to his ex-partner Molly Hurwitz. He candidly admitted in his memoir that he was heavily intoxicated at the time. Despite his state, Molly was aware of it and accepted his proposal. (However, they ended their relationship in June 2021.)

Additionally, he revealed that he has spent an extensive amount of money, around $7 million, in various attempts to overcome his addiction. Throughout the years, he has undergone 15 different rehabilitation programs, one of which coincided with the fictional wedding of his character, Chandler Bing, to Monica Gellar (played by Courteney Cox) on-screen. Perry acknowledged that he not only suffers from the disease but also has a particularly challenging battle with it. Even on good days, when he is sober and looking ahead, the struggles of addiction remain a constant presence in his life.

A source says writing his 2022 memoir was “cathartic” for Perry. Macmillan Publishers

Concern was raised in 2021 when Perry appeared on the Friends reunion special, as his speech seemed to be impaired and he appeared emotionally vulnerable. He even became tearful while discussing his strong bond with his fellow cast members. A reliable source reveals that there were concerns about Perry's well-being during the reunion recording, and the entire cast and crew are overcome with grief and sadness over his loss. They are grappling with a sense of remorse, wondering if they could have done more to support him.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Matthew,” Perry’s Friends co-stars expressed in a statement to Us on October 30. “We were more than just colleagues, we were a family. There are no words to fully capture our grief and the magnitude of this loss, but for now, we will take a moment to mourn and try to process the unimaginable pain we feel.”

In the subsequent year, he disclosed that he had been mostly abstinent since 2001, although he confessed to occasional setbacks. The launch of Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing proved to be a transformative experience for him. "Matthew poured his heart and soul into that project and was overjoyed when it achieved bestseller status," the second source shared. "It brought him a sense of closure."

“We were more than just cast mates. We are a family,” Perry’s Friends costars said in a statement to Us. HBO Max/X (formerly known as Twitter)

Perry's primary goal in writing the book was to assist individuals battling addiction. In 2013, the Canadian native transformed his former residence in Malibu into a sober living facility for others struggling with addiction. According to the source, the overwhelming support and encouragement he received from fans, friends, and his colleagues made him feel incredibly empowered. The satisfaction he derived from this surpassed his wildest expectations.

In late 2022, Perry engaged in a conversation with podcast host Tom Power, contemplating his life and the legacy he desires to leave behind. "When I ultimately pass away, I am aware that people will primarily talk about Friends, and that brings me contentment. I take pride in my significant contributions as an actor, as well as providing amusement through my online mishaps," he expressed. However, when considering my supposed achievements, it would be gratifying if Friends were recognized as secondary to the impactful actions I took to assist others."