Beloved actor and comedian Matthew Perry, best known for his iconic role as Chandler Bing on the hit sitcom Friends, has died at the age of 54.
Matthew Perry was found dead in his Los Angeles home on October 28, with law enforcement sources reporting that he apparently drowned in his home hot tub. An official cause of death is still pending following an autopsy.
The actor’s death comes as a shock to fans across the globe. Perry rose to fame in the 90s for his fan-favourite portrayal of the sarcastic but lovable Chandler on Friends, which ran for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004. His co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer became like family over the show’s decade-long run.
In a heartfelt statement, Warner Bros. Television mourned the loss of Perry, calling him “an incredibly gifted actor” whose “legacy will live on” through his unforgettable character. On social media, fans shared their favourite clips and quotes from Chandler Bing, who was known for his self-deprecating humour and witty one-liners.
While Perry charmed viewers each week on Friends, the actor faced private struggles with addiction to alcohol and opioids. In interviews and his memoir Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing, Perry candidly shared his battles as well as his commitment to sobriety in recent years. His openness about addiction helped destigmatize the disease and offered hope to others fighting similar battles.
In addition to Friends, Perry starred in series like Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and films including Fools Rush In and The Whole Nine Yards, alongside Bruce Willis. He earned an Emmy nomination for his performance in The West Wing, and a Golden Globe nod for his role in The Ron Clark Story.
Perry is survived by his father, actor John Bennett Perry, his mother, Suzanne Perry, and his siblings. The actor was only 54 years old at the time of his passing, leaving fans to mourn the loss of both an iconic character and the gifted performer behind him.
