Matthew Perry's last social media post, which was shared merely five days prior to his alleged death due to drowning, displayed a picture of the actor enjoying a Jacuzzi.
On October 23, Wednesday, Perry posted an Instagram photo of himself relaxing in a hot tub, donning headphones. Alongside the image, the Friends star captioned, "Feeling amazing with the soothing warmth enveloping me. It's me, Mattman."
On Saturday, October 28, Perry, aged 54, was discovered dead in a jacuzzi at a home in the Los Angeles area. TMZ, the first outlet to report the news, stated that the police were called to the scene following a report of someone experiencing cardiac arrest. We reached out to Perry's representatives for comment, but they have not responded.
Perry shot to fame for his portrayal of the witty Chandler Bing on NBC's beloved sitcom Friends. The series premiered in 1994 and aired for 10 seasons, featuring Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer as well.
Perry faced personal struggles with addiction while experiencing the success of Friends. He sought help for his addiction, undergoing rehabilitation twice, first in 1997 and then again in 2001.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in August 2015, Perry acknowledged the ups and downs in his life and the recognition he has received. However, he expressed that the most admirable aspect of himself is his willingness to assist those battling alcoholism. Perry shared that if an alcoholic approached him seeking help to stop drinking, he would readily offer his support, as he possesses the knowledge and experience to guide them. Additionally, Perry highlighted the difficulties he faced during his troubled times, mentioning that being in the public eye due to his role on a popular TV show exposed his personal struggles to millions of viewers. Perry acknowledged the influence of his television presence, recognizing that it provides him with a platform to make a difference and offer assistance when needed.
Courtesy of Matthew Perry/Instagram
He advised, "During moments of adversity, reaching out to someone and genuinely caring about their well-being can provide solace and help shift our focus away from our own troubles."
Perry shared his struggles in his memoir, titled "Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir," which was published in 2022. According to Perry, his Friends co-stars consistently supported and encouraged him to seek help during his difficult times.
Describing their support, Perry wrote, "It was like the way penguins in nature surround and uplift an injured penguin until it recovers. That's what my Friends co-stars did for me." However, despite their support, Perry's addiction continued to seriously affect him. He recollected an incident on set where he fell asleep on the couch while dressed in a suit during a scene at the coffeehouse. It was thanks to Matt LeBlanc's timely nudge that disaster was averted, as Perry woke up just in time for his line. Although no one else noticed, Perry was acutely aware of how close he had come to a potentially disastrous situation.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse problems, please call the National Helpline of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at 1-800-662-4357. This helpline provides free and confidential information 24/7.