The Similar Title: New Details Emerge: Matthew Perry's Cause of Death Unveiled
Tragic news emerges as the cause of Matthew Perry's untimely death is unveiled, following his devastating passing at home on October 28th
Matthew Perry's cause of death has been officially confirmed, two months following his passing. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office has revealed that Perry died from the acute effects of ketamine, as indicated in the toxicology report released on Friday, December 15. In addition to this, drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine were also listed as contributing factors. The actor's death has been ruled as an accident.
On October 28, Perry passed away at his Los Angeles residence at the age of 54. Paramedics were called to a report of a cardiac arrest, and Perry was discovered unresponsive in his hot tub. There were no indications of foul play at the location.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner stated on October 30 that the cause of Perry's death was "deferred" after the initial autopsy. The findings were deemed inconclusive until a toxicology report was completed, and a more thorough investigation into the cause of Perry's death was requested.
Matthew Perry gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of the witty Chandler Bing on the popular NBC sitcom Friends from 1994 to 2004. In addition to his work on the show, he also showcased his talents in feature films such as The Whole Nine Yards, Fools Rush In, and 17 Again. Perry's impressive contributions to television earned him five Emmy nominations for his roles in Friends, The West Wing, The Ron Clark Story, and Friends: The Reunion. Beyond acting, Perry achieved success as a bestselling author with the release of his memoir, Friends, Lovers & The Big Terrible Thing in 2022.
Matthew Perry. Nick Rood/Young Hollywood/Getty Images
While he was known for making people laugh, Perry struggled with his mental health and addictions to drugs and alcohol behind the scenes.
During the premiere of Friends: The Reunion on Max in April 2021, Perry opened up about feeling intense anxiety while filming. "I felt like I was going to die if they didn't laugh. It's not healthy for sure, but I would sometimes say a line and they wouldn't laugh, and I would sweat and go into convulsions," Perry revealed. "If I didn't get the laugh I was supposed to get, I would freak out. I felt like that every single night."
Perry maintained a close relationship with his Friends costars - Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer - who expressed their devastation at the loss of their friend in a joint statement. "We were more than just cast mates. We are a family," the group said in a statement to We on October 30. "There is so much to say, but right now we're going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss."
Friends co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane, along with their fellow executive producer Kevin S. Bright, expressed their shock and deep sadness at Perry's sudden death. They remembered him as a brilliant talent who truly embodied the role of Chandler Bing and brought joy, light, and intelligence to every moment, both in his work and in life. They described him as the funniest person in the room and noted his giving and selfless heart.
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Prior to his death, Perry wrote about how he hoped to be remembered for helping people through their darkest times.
"In a 2022 episode of the "Q With Tom Power" podcast, Perry expressed his desire to be remembered as someone who lived and loved fully, and who was a seeker with a strong desire to help others. He emphasized that he wanted his legacy to be defined by his ability to assist those in need, rather than by his acting career. Perry declared his commitment to living out this philosophy for the rest of his life."
That’s exactly how Hank Azaria, Perry’s longtime pal and a Friends guest star, remembered him in a tribute following his passing.
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Azaria shared in a video on October 29 via Instagram that she and Matthew were close friends and more like siblings for a long time. They spent a lot of time together, enjoyed each other's company, and supported each other during the early days of their careers.
When Azaria made the decision to confront his alcoholism, he turned to Perry for support. "I've been sober for 17 years, and I have to credit Matthew for bringing me to AA that one night," the actor shared. "During my first year of sobriety, he was there for me, attending meetings together and being incredibly supportive. His care and generosity played a crucial role in helping me on the path to recovery."
