The world is currently mourning the death of 54-year-old actor and comedian Matthew Perry. Perry, who was best known for his sarcastic, lovable character Chandler Bing on the tv show “Friends,” died in his jacuzzi on Saturday, October 18th. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officials received a call from Perrys home at 4 pm that Saturday stating that the actor was in his hot tub not breathing. The fire fighters had arrived on the scene at 4:07 pm and the police department at 4:10. “An adult male patient was deceased prior to first response arrival.” the LAFD stated, “The patient was found by a bystander who had re-positioned the victim where the head was out of water.”
Although the cause of his death is currently unknown, there were reports said that there were prescription drugs in his home. There were no illegal drugs, however there were antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and COPD. COPD, short for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, causes airflow blockage and breathing-related problems. COPD is often brought up by smoking, and in Perry’s book, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” he mentions his struggle with different addictions that he had throughout his short life starting off with alcoholism and continuing with drugs after a jet-ski accident. He won the Phoenix Rising Award in 2015 for helping so many people that struggled with addiction. Perry had hoped that “When I die, I’d like Friends to be listed behind helping people,.”
Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer have issued a joint statement paying tribute to their beloved co-star. “We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew,” the five actors said. “We were more than just castmates. We are a family. There is so much to say, but right now we are going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss. 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.”
