The world mourned as news of Matthew Perry’s death at only 54 years old, made rounds on the internet. Perry is well-known in popular culture for his leading role as Chandler Bing in the beloved 1990s and early 2000s sitcom, “Friends.” The show ran from 1994 until 2004, and the ten years of being on the show changed Perry’s life and cemented his legacy in Hollywood.
Starring alongside Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, and Jennifer Aniston, Perry’s portrayal of Chandler Bing is beloved by and remembered fondly by fans to this day. So it was with great sadness that the world lost another remarkable actor last Saturday.
According to an initial investigation by the authorities, Perry was found unconscious in the hot tub of his home. There was a 911 call from the home and the police responded. That is when they found Perry in his home. Investigation into his official cause of death is still ongoing, but the foremost theory is drowning.
Matthew Perry, despite only being in his early 50’s, has had a long history of medical ailments. In his memoir, he wrote about his struggle with addiction and how he has been in and out of rehab facilities for most of his adult life. On a program with his former Friends costars, Perry also opened up about how he was in the lowest period of his life during the filming of the series. He said that he was confronted lovingly by his costar Jennifer Aniston if he was drunk during filming, saying “We can smell it.” Perry said it was like a wake-up call for him to fix his life and get help for his addiction issues.
Matthew Perry’s role in “Friends” gave the world a glimpse of who Perry truly is, in Chandler. He said in the “Friends” reunion episode, “It wasn’t that I thought I could play Chandler; I was Chandler,”
Upon the news of his passing, his “Friends” costars sent messages of grief on social media. They wrote a joint statement, saying,
“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family. There is so much to say, but right now we’re 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, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”
Fans from all over the world felt Perry’s passing deeply. Many of them crowded around the New York City apartment where they shot the iconic “Friends” sitcom, with notes of remembrance and flowers laid outside the apartment complex. A fan wrote, “As reliable as a true friend, 20 years later, Friends is still my comfort show. Thank you, Matty, for making me feel peace and joy, from middle school to my mid-thirties.”
“Friends” truly made an impact in the television industry and remains famous today. Matthew Perry’s Chandler Bing is only a testament to how great talent transcends generations.