Renowned ‘Friends’ Actor Matthew Perry Dies at 54, Nominated for Emmy Awards

Matthew Perry, an actor best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the iconic television show “Friends,” has passed away at the age of 54. Perry’s lifeless body was discovered in his Los Angeles residence over the weekend, reportedly as a result of drowning, stated The Los Angeles Times and TMZ, the latter being the first to break the story. Both media outlets relied on anonymous sources to confirm the actor’s untimely demise.

In an official statement, Warner Bros. Television Group expressed their sorrow: “Matthew was an exceptionally talented actor who was an integral part of our Warner Bros. Television family. His comedic brilliance reverberated globally, and he leaves a legacy that will continue to be cherished by many. This is a sorrowful day, and our thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and the multitude of fans who admired him.”

Representatives for Perry have not yet replied to inquiries from The Big Big News for further comment.

When queried about the police presence at Perry’s residence, LAPD Officer Drake Madison confirmed to the Associated Press that officers were dispatched to the address to investigate “the death of a male in his 50s.”

Perry’s decade-long tenure on “Friends” elevated him to the status of one of Hollywood’s most identifiable actors. He starred alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, and David Schwimmer, portraying a group of friends residing in New York City. In his role as Chandler, Perry was notable for his witty, anxious, and neurotic demeanor. He regularly delivered memorable lines that have become part of television history.

In his 2022 bestselling memoir, Perry candidly addressed his prolonged and public battle with substance addiction. “Hi, my name is Matthew, although you may know me by another name. My friends call me Matty. And I should be dead,” he wrote.

The series, which aired from 1994 to 2004, garnered an Emmy Award for best comedy series in 2002. By the show’s conclusion, Perry’s character, Chandler, is married and has started a family, mirroring the personal growth and life stages of the other principal characters.

“Friends” continues to experience renewed popularity through streaming platforms, particularly among younger audiences. Perry once wrote in his memoir that when he first read the script, he felt as if he “was Chandler.”

Despite his overwhelming success, Perry struggled privately with addiction and a tremendous desire to keep his audience engaged, as disclosed in his memoir.

An HBO Max reunion special in 2021 rekindled public interest in seeing the cast reunited, although it did not extend the narrative arcs of the characters.

In addition to his “Friends” role, Perry received two other Emmy nominations for his guest appearances on “The West Wing.” He also had notable roles in movies like “Fools Rush In” alongside Salma Hayek and “The Whole Nine Yards” with Bruce Willis. Although Perry continued to work after “Friends,” he never secured a role that matched its acclaim or visibility.

In 2015, Perry took on the role of Oscar in a CBS reboot of “The Odd Couple,” for which he expressed great enthusiasm, especially performing in front of a live audience once again.

Matthew Perry was born on August 19, 1969, in Williamstown, Massachusetts. He is the son of actor John Bennett Perry and Suzanne, who once served as press secretary to Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and is currently married to “Dateline” correspondent Keith Morrison.

Contributors to this report include Alicia Rancilio, Janie Har, Hillel Italie, Ryan Pearson, and Anthony McCartney of Big Big News.

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More about Matthew Perry Obituary

• Matthew Perry’s IMDb Profile
• Official Statement from Warner Bros. Television Group
• LAPD Confirmation on Death Investigation
• The Los Angeles Times Report on Matthew Perry’s Death
• TMZ’s Breaking News on Matthew Perry
• HBO Max Reunion Special of “Friends”
• The Big Big News Coverage of Matthew Perry’s Passing
• Emmy Awards Nomination List
• Matthew Perry’s Memoir on Amazon
• “Friends” Official Streaming Platform