Matthew Perry, beloved Friends star, passes away at the age of 54

Matthew Perry, renowned for his role as Chandler Bing on the hit sitcom "Friends," tragically passed away at the age of 54 due to an apparent drowning incident at his residence in Los Angeles, as reported by the Los Angeles Times and confirmed by law enforcement sources.

No foul play is suspected, the sources told the LA Times.

Los Angeles Police would not confirm reports of Perrys death to CNN.

The Los Angeles Fire Department received a 911 call at 4:07 p.m. regarding a water rescue emergency, as stated by spokesman Brian Humphrey. However, it is uncertain which body of water was involved.

Officer Drake Madison from the LAPD did not disclose the victim's identity but verified that officers arrived at a residence corresponding to Perry's address at 4:10 p.m. to investigate the death of a man in his 50s.

An unnamed representative for Perry confirmed the actors death to NBC, the network that carried "Friends" for the entirety of its 10-season run.

Matthew Perry at the 2022 GQ Men Of The Year Party on November 17, 2022 in West Hollywood, California.

Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Perry's representatives did not respond when CNN reached out for comment.

Warner Bros. Television Group expressed their deep sadness over the loss of Matthew Perry, calling him a highly talented actor and a beloved member of their family. They acknowledged his global influence as a comedic genius and extended their condolences to his family, loved ones, and loyal fan base. This is a tragic day and they send their heartfelt love to all affected by his passing.

Born in Williamstown, Massachusetts, to an actor father and a journalist mother, Perry went to live with her in Ottawa, Canada, as a youngster after his parents split.

Beginnings

Perry followed his love for tennis and achieved a prominent position in the Canadian tennis rankings during his upbringing. Similarly, influenced by his father, he developed a keen interest in acting during his teenage years while residing in Los Angeles with him.

In 1979, Perry's initial recognized role materialized as a minor character in the drama series "240-Robert". Following this, he received additional minor roles in television shows such as "Charles in Charge," "Silver Spoons," and "The Tracey Ullman Show."

Starting in high school, Perry got his first film role in 1988's "A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon," where he acted alongside River Phoenix. Prior to that, Perry had already starred in the sitcom "Second Chances" (later renamed "Boys Will Be Boys") the year before the film's release. The show revolved around a man who dies and comes back to earth to mentor his younger self, which was portrayed by Perry.

Although the series failed to attract a substantial audience, Perry's career continued to flourish as he secured more prominent roles in television, such as "Growing Pains," "Who's The Boss," and "Beverly Hills, 90210."

Friend-ly fame

But it was being cast as affable and sarcastic Chandler Bing on the 1994 "Friends" that made him famous.

The unique character he portrayed resulted in a Primetime Emmy nomination in 2002. He had the pleasure of receiving four additional nominations for this esteemed television acting award, two of which were for his memorable role as Joe Quincy on "The West Wing."

(Note: "Friends" was produced by Warner Bros. Television, which is a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN's parent company.)

The cast of 'Friends' in Season 1. (l-r) Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry (second row) Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston.

Reisig & Taylor/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

Perry co-starred with Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, and Lisa Kudrow in the hit comedy show "Friends," which revolved around a close-knit group of friends residing in New York City.

The group became regulars on NBC's incomparable "Must-See TV" lineup, experiencing a level of fame seldom witnessed on television or elsewhere.

Off camera, the actors forged a bond just as strong as their on-screen counterparts, and famously collaborated to secure some of the most lucrative salaries in television history at that time.

Perry's career received a significant boost from the show, leading him to secure roles in major films such as "Fools Rush In" in 1997, "Almost Heroes" in 1998, and "The Whole Nine Yards" in 2000. In addition to his notable stint on "Friends," Perry showcased his talents in television series including "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," "Mr. Sunshine," and "The Odd Couple."

Perrys recent memoir

In November 2022, he published a memoir titled "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir."

Perry disclosed that, at the age of 49, he experienced a colon rupture attributed to his opioid addiction. The medical prognosis estimated a mere two percent likelihood of his survival, leading to a two-week-long coma and subsequent months of hospitalization.

The actor underwent 14 surgeries to repair extensive abdominal damage and revealed that he had been through rehab 15 times in an attempt to overcome his drug addiction. Speaking about his book, he expressed astonishment at his own resilience and his ability to recover from the hardships he faced. Despite feeling apprehensive about revealing his secrets, he shared everything in the book, not holding anything back.

Perry openly discussed his addiction struggles in recent years, even during the peak of his career.

During a CBC interview last year, Perry revealed, "I used to consume 55 Vicodin pills daily, weighing only 128 pounds. Despite being on Friends, a show watched by 30 million people, I couldn't bear watching it myself due to my extremely thin appearance." He further explained, "I intentionally avoided watching the show because it served as a reminder of my past struggles with alcohol, opioids, and cocaine. I could gauge each season based on how I looked. That's why I choose not to watch it, as it brings back those memories."

Perry started dating Molly Hurwitz, a literary manager, in 2018 and they announced their engagement in 2020. However, the couple called off their engagement in 2021. Perry expressed in a statement to People magazine that sometimes relationships don't work out, and he wishes Molly the best. This story is currently developing and will be updated.