“Friends” star Matthew Perry was found dead on October 28th in a hot tub in his Los Angeles home at 54 years old.
Authorities responded at around 4 p.m. to his home where he was found unresponsive. No drugs were found at the scene, but prescription medications found at his home will be part of the toxicology report. An official cause of death has yet to be determined, but authorities say there is no indication of foul play.
“We are devastated by the passing of our dear friend Matthew Perry,” Warner Bros. Television Group, which produced “Friends,” said in a statement to The Times.
“Matthew was an incredibly gifted actor and an indelible part of the Warner Bros. Television Group family. The impact of his comedic genius was felt around the world, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of so many. This is a heartbreaking day, and we send our love to his family, his loved ones, and all of his devoted fans.”
Perry was most well known for his role as Chandler Bing on “Friends”. Perry’s cast mates — Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer — issued a joint statement about his death. “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,” the five wrote. “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.”
Perry was very open about his struggles with drug abuse and alcohol in his memoir “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing.” He became addicted to Vicodin and went to rehab after a jet ski accident. Perry estimated that he had spent more than seven million dollars on over fifteen rehab stays to treat his addictions to alcohol and drugs. He turned his Malibu property into a sober living facility. A new foundation was set up in his name to support people suffering from addictions.
A private funeral was held on Friday afternoon with the actor’s “Friends” costars and other loved ones and family. The funeral was held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles. Other notable names like Paul Walker and Carrie Fisher rest there.
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