The sudden and tragic death of actor Matthew Perry has left his fans and friends in shock and grief. The star of the popular sitcom “Friends” was found unresponsive in a jacuzzi at his home in Pacific Palisades, California, on Oct. 28. He was 54 years old.
Cause of death deferred pending further studies
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office has not yet determined the cause of Perry’s death. The online report for Perry lists his cause of death as “deferred”, indicating that further studies are needed. These may include toxicology tests, histopathology examinations, and additional investigations by the Los Angeles Police Department.
According to a source close to Perry, his assistant discovered him unconscious and called 911. Two law enforcement sources told NBC News that there were no obvious signs of trauma or foul play. The Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to the scene and pronounced Perry dead.
Perry struggled with addiction for years
Perry was candid about his decades-long struggle with drug and alcohol addiction. He said in an interview with radio host Tom Power in Toronto last year that he never watched “Friends” because it reminded him of his past problems.
“I didn’t watch the show and haven’t watched the show, because I could go, ‘Drinking, opiates, drinking, cocaine,’” he said in reference to different episodes over the years.
He was motivated to help others experiencing addiction issues. For several years, Perry turned his former Malibu home into a sober living facility.
“When I die, I don’t want ‘Friends’ to be the first thing that’s mentioned. I want that to be the first thing that’s mentioned,” he said in the interview with Power.
Perry’s final Instagram post showed him in a pool
In an eerie foreshadowing of his death, Perry’s final Instagram post on Oct. 23 showed him resting in a swimming pool at night. He captioned the photo with a heart emoji and the words “Good night”.
The post has since received over 2 million likes and thousands of comments from fans and celebrities expressing their condolences and admiration for Perry.
Perry played Chandler Bing, a sarcastic and witty character, on “Friends” for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004. He also starred in movies such as “The Whole Nine Yards”, “17 Again”, and “Fools Rush In”. He was nominated for an Emmy Award for his guest appearance on “The West Wing” in 2003.
Tributes pour in for the beloved actor
Perry’s death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from his co-stars, friends, and admirers. His “Friends” castmates Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer posted heartfelt messages on social media, remembering him as a talented and kind person.
Other celebrities such as Reese Witherspoon, Ellen DeGeneres, Ryan Reynolds, Julia Roberts, and Tom Hanks also shared their condolences and praised Perry’s work and legacy.
Fans have also flocked to the New York City apartment building that was used for exterior shots on “Friends” to leave handwritten notes and other mementos.
