Matthew Perry, the actor known for playing Chandler Bing on the hit NBC sitcom “Friends,” has died. He was 54.
Perry was found dead Saturday in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home, law enforcement sources told the Los Angeles Times. Authorities found him unresponsive around 4 p.m, and there was no signs of foul play or drugs on the scene.
Perry gained international recognition for his role as Chandler on “Friends,” which ran for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004. He received a Primetime Emmy nomination in 2002 for his performance in the beloved sitcom.
READ MORE: Matthew Perry Was the Comic Soul of ‘Friends’
Along with “Friends,” Perry appeared in such television series as “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” “Go On” and “The Odd Couple.” He scored two Emmy nominations in 2003 and 2004 for outstanding guest actor in a drama series for his role as Joe Quincy in “The West Wing.”
The actor had a long association with Warner Bros. TV through “Friends,” “The West Wing” and “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.” In a statement, the studio hailed his skill as a performer.
“We are devastated by the passing of our dear friend Matthew Perry. Matthew was an incredibly gifted actor and an indelible part of the Warner Bros. Television Group family,” the statement read. “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 born on Aug. 19, 1969, in Plymouth, Mass., to his mother, Canadian journalist Suzanne Marie Morrison, and father, actor and former model John Bennett Perry. Following his parents’ divorce, he was raised by his mother in Ottawa, Ontario, where he was educated at both the Rockcliffe Park Public School and Ashbury College.
At age 15, Perry moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting and attended The Buckley School in Sherman Oaks until his graduation in 1987. That year, Perry played the role of Chazz Russell on the Fox sitcom “Second Chance,” which revamped under the title “Boys Will Be Boys” after 13 episodes.
Following the cancellation of “Boys Will Be Boys” after its first season, Perry made his film debut in 1988’s “A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon.” He had a three-episode arc as Carol Seavor’s boyfriend Sandy on the series “Growing Pains” in 1989 and, after several guest appearances, was cast as a regular on the 1990 CBS sitcom “Sydney.”
Before “Friends” made him a massive star alongside Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox and Matt LeBlanc, Perry also appeared on “Who’s the Boss?,” “Beverly Hill, 90210,” “Home Free” and more. Then, in 1994, NBC’s “Friends,” a show about six pals living in New York in their 20s and 30s, became one of the most popular TV shows of all time. An average of 25 million people tuned into each new episode, and the series finale drew 52.5 Americans, making it the fifth highest-viewed series finale ever and the most-watched TV episode of the 2000s.
Perry’s Chandler was the snarky, self-deprecating friend of the group, but his sarcasm hid a deeper insecurity and awkwardness that was played for some of the show’s biggest laughs. Chandler was best friends with LeBlanc’s Joey Tribbiani and Schwimmer’s Ross Gellar. He eventually marries Ross’ sister Monica Gellar, played by Cox, in the Season 7 ending, and the two adopt twins, Jack and Erica, in the “Friends” finale.
Chandler suffers from commitment issues, stemming from his parents’ divorce, and picked up smoking at a young age. Before Monica, he dated Janice Litman (Maggie Wheeler) for a time and an actress named Kathy (Paget Brewster), though the relationships don’t last long. He and Monica sleep together at Ross’ wedding in London, and eventually start a serious relationship and move in together. He works in statistical analysis and data reconfiguration, though none of his friends understand his job.
During and after “Friends,” Perry also appeared on “Ally McBeal,” “The West Wing,” “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” and in the 2010s he was on “Mr. Sunshine,” which he co-created, “The Good Wife” and executive produced and starred in NBC’s “Go On.” In 2015, he created the sitcom “The Odd Couple,” based on the 1965 play, and starred as Oscar Madison opposite Thomas Lennon. It was canceled in 2017 after three seasons. In 2021, the “Friends” stars sat down together, revisited sets and reenacted famous scenes for a reunion special.
Perry had been outspoken about his alcohol and drug abuse issues in his career. In 1997, after a jet ski accident, he became addicted to Vicodin and went to rehab in 2001. He later turned his former Malibu home into a sober living facility called the Perry House, which ran until 2015. In 2021, he became completely sober and estimated he spent $9 million on his sobriety journey.
Perry did not marry or have children. His memoir, “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing,” was published in 2021.