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Matthew Perry’s life was marked by a series of highs and lows, ultimately culminating in a tragic end. His portrayal of Chandler Bing in the beloved sitcom “Friends” earned him a place in the hearts of fans worldwide. However, behind the scenes, Perry grappled with a profound battle against addiction.
On October 28, 2023, TMZ reported Perry’s passing, attributing it to an apparent drowning. The absence of foul play or drugs on the scene pointed towards a tragic accident. This news was met with an outpouring of grief from devoted “Friends” enthusiasts, who mourned the loss of the actor.
Despite the outward appearance of success, Perry’s struggle with substance abuse was a deeply ingrained part of his life. His battle with alcohol began at the tender age of 14, persisting throughout his tenure on “Friends.” In 1997, a jet ski accident during the filming of “Fools Rush In” led to a prescription for Vicodin, which subsequently spiraled into a full-blown addiction. Perry candidly admitted to consuming a staggering 55 Vicodin pills daily, resulting in a drastic weight loss down to 128 pounds. He confessed, “I didn’t know how to stop…I couldn’t stop because the disease and the addiction is progressive. So it gets worse and worse as you grow older.” Eventually, Perry achieved sobriety, but the journey was arduous, with a significant setback in 2018.
The year 2018 marked a harrowing near-death experience for Matthew Perry. His colon burst due to the overuse of opioids, pushing him to the brink of mortality. Doctors informed his loved ones that he had a mere 2 percent chance of survival. Perry vividly recounted this critical moment, revealing that of the five individuals placed on the ECMO machine that night, he was the sole survivor.
In a poignant reflection, Perry expressed that he initially harbored anger rather than gratitude for his survival. The ordeal brought immense challenges, yet with time, he found solace in his resilience. He marveled at the unexpected turns life had taken, from never envisioning himself in that moment to authoring a bestselling book. Despite this triumphant rebound, Perry’s untimely passing in 2023 leaves a void that will be keenly felt by his family, friends, and legions of devoted fans. The exact cause of his death remains unknown, leaving behind a legacy of both triumphs and struggles.