Matthew Perry, who was propelled into sitcom stardom as the lovable and hilarious Chandler Bing in “Friends,” died in his Los Angeles residence Saturday at the age of 54.
Captain Scot Williams of the LAPD robbery-homicide division said that while the cause was not likely to be determined in the near future, there was no indication of foul play, according to the New York Times.
According to the L.A. Times, Perry was reportedly found unresponsive in an outdoor hot tub. No drugs were found at the scene, but toxicology will be a part of the LAPD’s investigation because prescription medication was recovered in his home, according to L.A. Times sources.
Perry battled with alcohol and opioid addiction throughout his life, which resulted in multiple stints in rehab. His substance abuse led to serious health issues in later years, including a five-month hospitalization in 2018 following a near-fatal colon rupture, which he wrote about in his 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.”
“But the best thing about me is that if an alcoholic or drug addict comes up to me and says, ‘Will you help me?’ I will always say, ‘Yes, I know how to do that. I will do that for you, even if I can’t do it for myself,’” said Perry on the “Q with Tom Power” podcast in 2022.
His passing hits close to home for USC students, especially after he spoke about his memoir at USC’s Bovard Auditorium during the Los Angeles Times Festival of books in April 2023.
“It came pouring out of me—the painful stuff, hospitals, rehabs, all this stuff—it poured out of me. It went really quickly,” Perry said at the festival about writing his memoir. “What a horrible life this guy has had,” he said, referring to himself.
Some students shared their memories of the actor and the characters he played.
“He’s someone who we will always remember. He was an inspiration, he was a funny guy and he’s talented. It’s sad to see him gone,” said Ellie Bridges-Greenfield, a junior studying environmental science.
Lexie Hastings, a junior theater major said, “My family group chat “exploded”, is the best word, when we found out that he passed. The way my family bonded a lot was through his character and through that show, so it was really sad to hear.”
Kenny Tapia, a freshman stage management major, expressed his sadness about losing someone he grew up watching. “It’s something to be very sympathetic about, to kind of realize how an industry can lose such an emblematic figure,” he said.
Kirstin Eggers, assistant professor of theatre practice in comedy performance, spoke about why Perry’s acting resonated so strongly with students, even for those who may not have watched “Friends.”
In order to create a compelling, memorable character, “you either want something completely original or delightfully familiar,” Eggers said. “Matthew Perry had both of those. Audiences could see their own flaws in him, and he made bold choices in his delivery.”
“The vulnerability, and the specific vulnerability, that he brought was pretty fresh, and it was pretty groundbreaking to be able to be so human and accessible, and a good looking guy,” she said.
Eggers recounted stories from her friends who worked with Perry at one point throughout their professional acting careers.
“I’ve seen so many people with personal stories,” she said. “A lot of people have said that he was just the nicest, kindest, giving person to work with on a professional set.”
Salma Hayek, who co-starred with Perry for the 1997 drama “Fools Rush In,” agrees. In an Instagram tribute to her co-star, Hayek wrote, “Throughout the years, he and I found ourselves reminiscing about that meaningful time in our lives with a deep sense of nostalgia and gratitude. My friend, you are gone much too soon, but I will continue to cherish your silliness, your perseverance, and your lovely heart.”
Reactions from his “Friends” co-stars have yet to be publicly shared.
Assistant Professor Eggers said that the joy Perry has brought to the lives of so many audiences exceeds any particular acting role.
“How he was able to embody comedy really changed the tone of comedy,” she said. “His vulnerability and even just his line delivery was so unique. I mean, you watch any trailer for any modern comedy movie, and they have the same delivery in the same tone that he brought to those lines.”
Besides working on his career as an actor, Perry created a sober-living facility for men, the Perry House, located in Malibu, California, and wrote a play titled “The End of Longing” which he describes as his personal message to the world.
“When I die, as far as my so-called accomplishments go, it would be nice if ‘Friends’ were listed far behind the things I did to try to help other people. I know it won’t happen, but it would be nice,” Perry said on the “Q with Tom Power” podcast.