On Oct 28, 2023, the actor Matthew Perry died. He was only 54 years old. He was in his jacuzzi home alone when he had a heart attack, and then he drowned. No one knows what caused the sudden heart attack, but he did have a drug and alcohol addiction in the past, so I think that could have played a factor in it. However, law enforcement did tell TMZ that there were no drugs in his system, and no signs of foul play were present at the crime scene.
Who was Matthew Perry? He played Chandler Bing on the popular 1990s TV show “Friends.” It is what he was most known for during his life. On Instagram, the five remaining cast members posted a joint statement saying, “We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We are more than just cast mates. We are a family. There is so much more to say, but for now, we are going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss. In time we will say more, as and when we are able. For now, all our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.” His family also released a statement to People Magazine, saying, “We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother. Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend. You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.”
Before his sad and untimely death, Perry was planning to establish a foundation to support those suffering from substance abuse. His family completed this goal for him when the website for the Matthew Perry Foundation went live on Nov 4, 2023. The organization’s mission statement says, “The Matthew Perry Foundation is the realization of Matthew’s enduring commitment to help others struggling with the disease of addiction. It will honor his legacy and be guided by his own words and experiences and driven by his passion for making a difference in as many lives as possible.”
In November 2022, Perry appeared on the Q with Tom Power podcast and said, “When I die, I don’t want Friends to be the first thing that’s mentioned- I want to help others to be the first thing that’s mentioned. And I’m going to live the rest of my life proving that. Addiction is far too powerful for anyone to defeat alone. But together, one day at a time, we can beat it down.”
