Matthew Perry death 'doesn't seem real' to Friends stars after 'his best year'
The world of showbiz tonight paid tribute to Matthew Perry who was found dead in a hot tub at his home.
It is feared the Friends favourite, 54, who had a long battle against drink and drug addiction, drowned in Los Angeles. Former girlfriend Gwyneth Paltrow said: “He was so funny, so sweet and so much fun to be with. I am super sad today.”
Tragic Matthew Perry appeared unusually fatigued just hours before his mystery death in a hot tub at home, a shocked friend revealed. The 54-year-old Friends star, who had battled drink and drug addiction for years, had been playing a tennis-style game of pickleball, a sport he competed in every day. It is feared he drowned. As the world of showbiz paid tribute to the actor, US TV and radio host Billy Bush said: “I spoke to the woman he played with this morning and every morning.
The actor's home in Los Angeles after his death (CBS/UNPIXS)“She said he had been fatigued today and over the past week. A little more than usual. He played for an hour, then went home. She is in shock, she adored Matt.” The actor, known around the world for playing Chandler Bing in hit 90s TV sitcom Friends, was found unresponsive in a hot tub by his assistant at his Los Angeles home on Saturday at 4pm.
An audio clip of the 911 call leaked online was mostly bleeped out but the word “drowning” could be heard. Sources told US website TMZ no recreational drugs were found at his home, and that foul play was not suspected. However, antidepressants, anti-anxiety pills, and a drug to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were found.
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A white tent was put up in the garden next to the hot tub. A coroner will do a toxicology exam to determine if any drugs were in his system, but it could take months to get the results.
Matthew and Jennifer Aniston in 1995 (Getty Images)
A friend of Matthew said he was fatigued in the days before his death (GoffPhotos.com)Matthew’s mum Suzanne Morrison, dad, John Bennett Perry and his stepfather, Keith Morrison all arrived at his house after his death, looking emotional. His body was taken away by medical staff in the early hours of Sunday. In an Instagram post last week, Matthew shared images of himself in a hot tub, saying: “Oh, so warm water swirling around makes you feel good? I’m Mattman.”
He starred in Friends from 1994 to 2004 alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow. The actors are understood to be shocked and distraught over his death but had not made any comment tonight.
The actor relaxes in the water (Instagram)However, a source close to Kudrow said: “This does not seem real or fair to her or any of the gang. Matthew was finally at peace with himself and was having the best year of his life. He was actively engaged in his sobriety. She is baffled on what caused his death.”
Matthew’s family said: “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.”
The actor's heartbroken mother Susanne (The Hollywood JR / BACKGRID)Friends creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane executive producer Kevin Bright said in a joint statement: “We are shocked and deeply saddened by our beloved friend Matthew’s passing. It still seems impossible. All we can say is that we feel blessed to have had him as part of our lives.
“He was a brilliant talent. From the day we first heard him embody the role of Chandler Bing, there was no one else for us. We will always cherish the joy, the light, the blinding intelligence he brought to every moment, not just to his work, but in life as well.
“He was always the funniest person in the room. More than that, he was the sweetest, with a giving and selfless heart.” Morgan Fairchild who played Perry’s on-screen mother and erotic novel writer Nora Bing in Friends, added: “I’m heartbroken about the untimely death of my ‘son’, Matthew Perry.”
Stepdad Keith after the tragic news (Jason Ryan/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock)Gwyneth Paltrow dated the actor in the 90s. She said: “He was so funny, so sweet and so much fun to be with. I am super sad today, as so many of us are. I hope Matthew is at peace at long last.” Warner Bros, which made Friends, said: “Matthew was an incredibly gifted actor.
“The impact of his comedic genius was felt around the world, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of so many.”
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Perry downsized to the home where he died in Pacific Palisades by the beach after selling his multi-million dollar penthouse. Neighbours said he spent months remodelling the swimming pool and backyard. The work had only finished a week ago. He had a regular sober coach who he would spend time, along with other friends in recovery, but in recent weeks he spent most days with just his assistant.
The coroner arrives at the star's home (APEX / MEGA)Matthew was last seen out at a restaurant called The Apple Pan in Los Angeles last week. The actor was born in Massachusetts in 1969, but raised in Ottawa, Canada, where he attended elementary school with Justin Trudeau, now the country’s PM.
He posted: “Matthew Perry’s passing is shocking and saddening. People around the world are never going to forget the joy he brought them. Thanks for all the laughs, Matthew. You were loved.”
Matthew pictured with the other Friends star (NBCUniversal via Getty Images)Matthew had played tennis in Canada to a top-level before he quit and moved back to the US to pursue an acting career. He became keen on pickleball, which is played with racquets on a court and using a ball full of holes. As well as Friends, Perry also starred in a number of films and TV sitcoms.
Although he had been in several relationships with women, he never married and had no children. His last reported long-term partner was talent manager Molly Hurwitz. They got engaged in 2020 but the romance ended in 2021. Last November, Matthew published his memoir Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing which gave readers a look into his life on and off screen, including his struggles with addiction.
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