Matthew Perry's Reported Apparent Drowning Tragically Claims His Life at 54

Matthew Perry David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images

Matthew Perry, aged 54, has allegedly passed away. According to TMZ, he was discovered lifeless in a jacuzzi at a residence in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 28. Authorities swiftly arrived at the location following a cardiac arrest call. No response has been received from Perry's representatives in regards to We's request for comment.

Perry became famous for his role as Chandler Bing on the much-loved comedy series Friends, which was on the air from 1994 to 2004. He starred alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer.

In his book published in 2022, Perry openly shared his personal struggles throughout the years, disclosing that he was only sober during the ninth season of the sitcom.

According to Perry, my addiction can be traced by observing my weight fluctuations throughout the seasons. When I carry extra weight, it signifies alcohol abuse, whereas being slim indicates a reliance on pills. Additionally, the presence of a goatee indicates heavy pill usage. In his book, Friends, Lovers & The Big Terrible Thing, Perry compares his appearance between the last episode of season 6 and the first episode of season 7. Despite wearing the same clothes, it is evident that he lost approximately fifty pounds during the break between seasons. Perry also mentions that his fellow cast members attempted to provide support during this time.

"In the natural world, when a penguin sustains an injury, its fellow penguins rally around, providing support until it recovers. This is exactly what my co-stars on Friends did for me," he expressed. "However, despite their unwavering support, addiction wreaked havoc on my life. I vividly remember one instance on set, during a scene at the coffeehouse where I was dressed in a suit, when I actually dozed off right there on the couch. It was only due to Matt LeBlanc nudging me awake just before my line that disaster was averted; no one else noticed, but I was acutely aware of how close I had come."

Over the course of several years, Perry embarked on 15 stints in rehab, with the actor revealing to People in 2022 that he nearly lost his life at the age of 49 when his colon ruptured as a result of opioid abuse. "The medical professionals informed my family that I had a mere 2 percent chance of survival," he recounted. "I was connected to a life-saving apparatus known as an ECMO machine, which performed the essential functions of both my heart and lungs. That, they call a Hail Mary. Very few individuals make it through such a dire situation."

He further mentioned that maintaining sobriety remains an ongoing challenge. "While it holds great significance, a relapse should not undermine the progress and knowledge gained along the way," he explained. "Although your sober start date may change, it is simply a matter of that. The wisdom and understanding acquired before remain intact, provided one manages to overcome the difficulties without succumbing to fatal circumstances. In fact, a lot can be learned from such experiences."

Perry also appeared in the television series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Go On, and The Odd Couple, as well as the films Fools Rush In, The Whole Nine Yards, and 17 Again. Furthermore, in 2021, he joined his Friends co-stars for a special on HBO Max.

Perry spoke about the intense pressure he felt during the filming of all 10 seasons of the sitcom in front of a live studio audience. He admitted that he would become extremely anxious and even experience physical symptoms, such as sweating and convulsions, if the audience did not laugh at his jokes. Notably, Perry confessed to often freaking out if he did not receive the expected laughter, feeling the weight of this burden every single night.

Perry is survived by his parents, John Bennett Perry and Suzanne Perry.