Matthew Perry: Unraveling the Dark Depths of Addiction and a Life of Solitude (Exclusive)
Sources reveal the haunting truth behind Matthew Perry's addiction, the profound loneliness he endured, and the web of deceit he spun before his untimely demise Discover the heartbreaking depths of his struggles, in an exclusive report by Us Weekly
Leading up to his shocking death on October 28, 2023, Matthew Perry, the 54-year-old Friends star who had long battled addiction, appeared to be in a positive place. In September 2022, while promoting his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Terrible Thing, Perry revealed he was 18 months sober. Filmmaker Adam McKay shared that Perry had plans for an ambitious superhero comeback project. On the day before his death, entertainment reporter Athenna Crosby met Perry for lunch at the Hotel Bel-Air, where he expressed excitement for the future and his newfound health.
However, Perry's autopsy report revealed a different story. The 29-page document, released on December 15, indicated that the beloved actor, who was found face down in the hot tub at his Pacific Palisades, California, home, had died from "acute effects of ketamine." Although Perry had been on ketamine infusion therapy to treat depression, the drugs in his system at the time of his death—equivalent to the amount used during general anesthesia—could not have been from his last known therapy session, suggesting possible recreational use. (The autopsy docs stated that Perry had reportedly been clean for 19 months.)
According to an insider, those close to Matthew Perry were not surprised by his death from an overdose. The insider revealed that some friends felt Perry didn't receive the necessary help for his mental health and coped by isolating himself. After "Friends" ended, he was financially secure and didn't have to work, creating an environment for substance abuse.
Three sources close to the situation stated that Perry had been lying about his sobriety during his memoir's promotional tour and leading up to his death. His continued abuse of prescription drugs wasn't the only concerning behavior he was hiding. One source described him as verbally, emotionally, and physically abusive, calling him manipulative. Another source mentioned that while Perry wasn't a terrible person, his addiction had warped him into someone he wasn't meant to be. Despite this, former representatives for Perry did not respond when requested for comment on the story.
The alleged confrontation over Perry’s substance abuse reportedly turned into a physical assault against Morgan Moses, Perry's best friend of seven years and occasional sober companion. (Moses declined to comment on the story.) According to sources, on the day of the incident at Perry’s L.A. home, the actor became “irate” after being confronted about being high on prescription drugs. The first source claims that Perry threw Moses into a wall and threw something at her before shoving her onto a bed. The source also mentions that Perry had a history of aggressive behavior, including punching walls, flipping tables, and throwing objects during fits of anger. Following the incident, the source reveals that Perry made threats and hints of violence, eventually escalating into actual violence. Reportedly, Perry even stated, "If I wanted to hurt you, I would have," after the altercation.
According to the second source, Moses quickly left after the alleged assault and Perry was deeply embarrassed by the situation. He frantically called their mutual friends in an attempt to reconcile. The source explains that Perry was in a panic because his constant companion had abandoned him. Despite their efforts to salvage their friendship, they could not move past the alleged incident.
The first source comments, "Morgan was his best friend, and he destroyed that relationship. He pushed her to her breaking point. Everyone just wanted him to be okay, but he was terrible. He would get upset over minor things and then twist the story to make himself the victim. He would escalate the situation to play the victim. He put people through hell."
Sources say Perry, seen with Moses in 2019, physically assaulted her at his L.A. home in March 2022. Photo Peter Parker/SplashNews.com
Other individuals also witnessed the actor's darker side, including an ex-girlfriend who was in her early 20s at the time of their relationship and threatened to sue him for emotional and psychological abuse. She claimed that he got her addicted to drugs and enlisted the help of a high-profile legal firm, with their relationship ultimately ending in a settlement. Sources close to the ex corroborate her account and state that substance abuse was a major factor in their breakup. They also note the power dynamics at play due to the significant age difference between them.
The third source alleges that the ex-partner threatened legal action over emotional distress and accused the actor of manipulating her into opioid addiction with financial involvement. She settled and signed a non-disclosure agreement, potentially preventing her from sharing her experiences. It should be noted that we could not verify the existence of a lawsuit or settlement independently.
According to the first source, individuals in Perry's inner circle also made claims about the actor's behavior in private. The source reports that one of his nurses left the profession due to the trauma caused by Perry, describing him as cruel and claiming that he had to cover the costs for many women to receive therapy, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
Perry’s last known relationship was with literary agent Molly Hurwitz. They were engaged before splitting in June 2021. Courtesy of Molly Hurwitz/Instagram
Perry's reckless behavior under the influence was well-documented, with reports of multiple crashes in his Aston Martin. The first source revealed that these incidents occurred during a supposed period of sobriety, indicating that his claims of being clean were false and simply a ploy to promote his memoir. The second source, familiar with Perry's substance abuse, described him as clever and manipulative, using the dating app Raya to meet young women and solicit drugs from them. This allowed him to avoid public scrutiny and carry on with his destructive habits.
Perry spent his last years in relative isolation, with an insider revealing, "He was living locked up and not reaching out to [people]. That was his pattern when he used. He would cut himself off from everyone." The insider also noted that the actor struggled with disappointment in his career after Friends and in his love life. "He wanted a family and never found that person to settle down with. It was a tale of loneliness and how having all the money and fame can’t save anyone." Another source confirmed Perry's desire for a family, saying, "He wanted consistency. As much as he was a loner, he didn’t want to be."
According to a source, Matt occasionally had good things to say about them, but the cast didn't know him as well as others did. Courtesy of Courteney Cox/Instagram.
Just four days before Perry's autopsy report was released, Variety featured an interview with Jennifer Aniston in which she shared her shock and sadness at Perry's passing. "I was literally texting with him that morning, funny Matty. He was not in pain. He wasn't struggling. He was happy," she tearfully told the publication. "He worked so hard. He really was dealt a tough one."
During a decade of filming with Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer, it is suggested that Perry may not have been as close to his co-stars as assumed. According to a source, Perry lied to them about various things and had complicated feelings towards them, with a mix of respect and insecurity. The source also reveals Perry's jealousy towards his co-stars for not struggling with addiction, as he felt they didn't understand the pain he went through.
The star's downfall was ultimately caused by his demons, as is often the case with those struggling with addiction. The charismatic and incredibly talented person that the world saw onscreen and in interviews "is who he really was," according to the second source of Perry. "He just became someone else because of his addiction. People still deeply cared for him despite his disease and held onto hope that he would remain sober."
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In a late 2022 interview with podcast host Tom Power, Perry, who had previously founded a successful men's sober living facility, expressed his desire to be remembered as someone dedicated to helping others. Following his death, the Matthew Perry Foundation was established to support those battling addiction. "He had everything but didn't know what to do with it," says the first source. "He could've saved the world, but he couldn't save himself. Now, his foundation can make a real difference for people in need."
If you or someone you know are struggling with addiction or mental health, contact the national Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at samhsa.gov or 1-800-662-HELP.
