Matthew Perry, known for his role as Chandler Bing on “Friends,” tragically passed away on October 28, 2023 at the age of 54. The cause of his death, ruled accidental, was a combination of factors found in the report by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The report stated that Matthew’s passing resulted from the effects of ketamine, a drug he was using as part of therapy for his depression and anxiety. High levels of ketamine in his body caused problems with his heart and breathing. Other factors contributing to his death included drowning, heart disease, and the effects of medication used to treat opioid addiction.
“At the high levels of ketamine found in his postmortem blood specimens, the main lethal effects would be from both cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression,” The toxicology report adds.
Authorities discovered Perry in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home, with no signs of foul play or drug presence at the scene. First responders were alerted due to a cardiac arrest, as reported by TMZ.
Matthew’s ‘Friends’ co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer were deeply affected by his loss, shared touching tributes, “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.”
Jennifer Aniston remembered texting with him that same day, describing him as happy and healthy. Courteney Cox posted a funny behind-the-scenes video, reminiscing about their time together. Matt LeBlanc expressed how much Matthew meant to him, cherishing their friendship.
Aniston revealed exclusively to Variety that she had texted him on the day he passed away.
“He was happy. He was healthy. He had quit smoking. He was getting in shape. He was happy — that’s all I know,” Aniston said. “I was literally texting with him that morning, funny Matty. He was not in pain. He wasn’t struggling. He was happy.”
Courteney Cox shared a video on Instagram by remembering Matthew Perry, where she wrote, “I am so grateful for every moment I had with you Matty and I miss you every day. When you work with someone as closely as I did with Matthew, there are thousands of moments I wish I could share. For now here’s one of my favorites.”
She additionally added, “To give a little backstory, Chandler and Monica were supposed to have a one night fling in London. But because of the audience’s reaction, it became the beginning of their love story. In this scene, before we started rolling, he whispered a funny line for me to say. He often did things like that. He was funny and he was kind.”
Throughout his career, Matthew Perry openly discussed his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. In 2022, he bravely wrote about it in his memoir. In his memory, the Matthew Perry Foundation was created to assist others dealing with similar issues.
“In the spirit of Matthew Perry’s enduring commitment to helping others struggling with the disease of addiction, we embark on a journey to honor his legacy by establishing the Matthew Perry Foundation, guided by his own words and experiences, and driven by his passion for making a difference in as many lives as possible,” the foundation’s first statement stated.
Perry’s passing deeply impacts not just entertainment but also highlights the personal battles he faced. His role as Chandler Bing, blending humor with inner turmoil, now feels more connected to his real-life struggles.
As the world mourns this talented actor, Matthew Perry’s legacy lives on through the foundation in his honor. Remembered for his resilience, kindness, and dedication to helping others, he leaves a lasting impact on those he touched.
