'Friends' star Matthew Perry found dead in hot tub: Official report

Los Angeles, CA, October 29 : Tragic news reverberated through Hollywood and around the world as Matthew Perry, renowned for his iconic role as Chandler Bing in the legendary TV sitcom "Friends," was discovered lifeless at his Los Angeles residence on Saturday. The 54-year-old actor had battled addiction issues for many years, which ultimately took a toll on his health.

First responders, arriving at the scene, found Perry unconscious in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home. Despite their valiant efforts, they were unable to revive him, as confirmed by law enforcement sources to the Los Angeles Times. Both the LA Times and TMZ, the first to break the story, indicated that no foul play was suspected, according to anonymous sources.

Matthew Perry's most enduring claim to fame came through his portrayal of the witty and lovable Chandler Bing on NBC's widely acclaimed series, "Friends." The show captured the hearts of millions and aired for an impressive ten seasons, spanning from 1994 to 2004.

However, Perry's life was marked by a relentless struggle with addiction, particularly to painkillers and alcohol. He sought rehabilitation on multiple occasions, as he chronicled in his memoir, "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing," published just last year. Perry disclosed undergoing detox an astonishing 65 times and spending around $9 million in his quest for sobriety.

The toll of his addiction extended to his health. In 2018, Perry faced a harrowing experience when a burst colon, resulting from his substance abuse, necessitated a grueling seven-hour surgical intervention and led to the use of a colostomy bag for several months.

Dedicated to "all of the sufferers out there," Perry's book bore a poignant prologue where he candidly expressed, "I should be dead." Saturday's incident, as reported by TMZ, revealed no presence of drugs at the scene, and Perry was discovered by his assistant, who immediately placed a call to 911.

Matthew Perry's origins trace back to Massachusetts, born to parents of both Canadian and American descent. He spent his early years in Canada before relocating to Los Angeles, where he would later make his mark in the entertainment industry.

In addition to his role on "Friends," Perry also left his mark on the big screen with notable appearances in movies like "Fools Rush In" and "The Whole Nine Yards."

"Friends" depicted the lives of six New Yorkers as they navigated the intricacies of dating, careers, and the enduring bonds of friendship. Perry, along with his co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer, had successfully negotiated an unprecedented $1 million per episode by the conclusion of their 236-episode, decade-long run, which left an indelible mark on pop culture.

The enduring appeal of the show became evident when the cast reunited for a special episode in 2021, with each of the six friends earning a staggering $2.5 million for their participation. During this reunion, fans expressed concern over Perry's slurred speech, which was attributed to health issues.

Notably, Perry surprised his co-stars during the reunion by candidly sharing his experience of battling severe anxiety "every night" while filming the show. As of the time of this report, Perry's representatives had not yet responded to requests for comment from news agencies.