Matthew Perry

Investigation Into Matthew Perry’s Death Leads to Arrests

Authorities have announced charges against five individuals in connection with the death of actor Matthew Perry, who accidentally overdosed on ketamine on October 28, 2023. The individuals charged include Perry’s personal assistant, two doctors, and a narcotics distributor. According to court documents, Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s assistant, collaborated with the other defendants to procure the ketamine that led to the actor’s fatal overdose. The indictment also alleges that Iwamasa administered the ketamine to Perry on the day of his death.

Prior to his passing, the 54-year-old Friends star had been undergoing ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety. However, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner clarified that the ketamine found in Perry’s system was unrelated to his prescribed treatments. Perry’s death was officially ruled an accident, but investigations by the Los Angeles Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration began in May 2024 to trace the origins of the ketamine in his system.

During a press conference, U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada disclosed that Perry had relapsed into addiction in the fall of 2023 after years of struggling with substance abuse. Of the five individuals charged, three— including Iwamasa— have pleaded guilty, while two have been taken into custody.

Perry’s family, led by his stepfather Keith Morrison, expressed gratitude for the efforts of law enforcement. “We were and still are heartbroken by Matthew’s death, but it has helped to know law enforcement has taken his case very seriously,” the family stated in remarks to NBC News. “We look forward to justice taking its course.”

A Look Back at Matthew Perry’s Life and Legacy

Matthew Perry first entered the entertainment industry as a teenager, navigating a challenging early career that included small roles and unsuccessful pilots. His breakout came in the mid-1990s with the Emmy-nominated role of Chandler Bing on the iconic sitcom Friends, a performance that cemented his place in television history.

Perry also enjoyed success on the big screen, appearing in films such as Fools Rush In and The Whole Nine Yards. Despite his professional achievements, Perry faced personal battles with addiction for much of his life. He later sought to reclaim his sitcom success with shows like Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Go On, and a revival of The Odd Couple.

Although he never married or had children, Perry left an enduring mark on fans and peers alike. His unexpected death at age 54 in October 2023 shocked the world, but his work and advocacy for addiction recovery continue to resonate.

Childhood and Parents

Matthew Langford Perry was born on August 19, 1969, in Williamstown, Massachusetts. His father, John Bennett Perry, was an actor, and his mother, Suzanne Langford, worked as a press secretary for Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Shortly after Matthew’s birth, his parents separated, and he moved to Ottawa, Canada, with his mother. Suzanne later remarried Keith Morrison, a journalist and correspondent for NBC’s Dateline.

Perry attended Rockcliffe Park Public School, where he became friends with Justin Trudeau, the future Prime Minister of Canada. At the age of 15, he relocated to Los Angeles to live with his father and enrolled at Buckley School, a private institution where he graduated in 1987.

From an early age, Matthew exhibited a strong passion for both tennis and acting. As a youth in Canada, he was a nationally ranked tennis player. However, the level of competition in Los Angeles proved more challenging. “I was a very good tennis player in Ottawa, Canada—nationally ranked when I was, like, 13. Then I moved to Los Angeles when I was 15, and everyone in L.A. just killed me,” Perry remarked in a 2012 interview with Men’s Health. Ultimately, he decided to focus on acting, a choice that would define his career.

Early Roles

Perry’s acting career began while he was still in high school, with his film debut in A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon (1988), where he played a supporting role alongside River Phoenix. Although the movie failed to make a significant impact, it marked Perry’s entry into the entertainment industry.

In September 1987, Perry starred in his first sitcom, Second Chance. The show featured Kiel Martin as a man who dies and is given the opportunity to mentor a younger version of himself, played by Perry. The series was later restructured and renamed Boys Will Be Boys, focusing on Perry’s character and his teenage misadventures. Despite the changes, the sitcom struggled to attract viewers and was eventually canceled.

After the show’s cancellation, Perry secured minor roles and guest appearances on television shows such as Empty Nest and Growing Pains. In 1990, he joined the cast of Sydney, a short-lived comedy starring Valerie Bertinelli. That same year, Perry earned praise for his portrayal of Desi Arnaz Jr. in the television biopic Call Me Anna, which depicted the life of actress Patty Duke.

Perry’s pursuit of sitcom success continued with Home Free (1993), where he played a young reporter living with his mother, sister, and her children. Despite his performance, the series lasted only a few months before cancellation. He later filmed a pilot for LAX 2194, a futuristic sitcom about an airport, but the show was never aired.

Friends Fame

Matthew Perry found his breakthrough role with Friends, a sitcom centered around a group of young adults navigating life in New York City. Debuting in September 1994, the show became one of the most beloved television series of all time. Perry portrayed Chandler Bing, a character known for his quick wit and sharp sarcasm. Chandler shared an apartment with Joey Tribbiani, an aspiring actor played by Matt LeBlanc, and was a close friend of Ross Geller, portrayed by David Schwimmer.

The ensemble cast also included Courteney Cox as Monica Geller, Ross’s sister; Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green, Monica’s roommate; and Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay, their quirky, free-spirited friend. On and off-screen, the six actors developed a strong bond. This camaraderie extended to contract negotiations after Friends became a massive success, with each cast member eventually earning $1 million per episode.

Critics praised the show, which garnered 62 Emmy nominations during its decade-long run. Perry himself received a nomination in 2002 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. The show’s narrative evolved over time, with Chandler entering a romantic relationship with Monica. Their characters married, adopted twins, and prepared to move to the suburbs, culminating in the series finale in May 2004.

Struggles with Addiction

While enjoying the global acclaim brought by Friends, Perry faced personal challenges, battling addictions to alcohol and prescription drugs. In a 2002 interview with The New York Times, he reflected on his struggles: “I was a guy who wanted to become famous… I didn’t think what the repercussions would be.” Perry entered rehab in 1997 for an addiction to Vicodin and sought treatment again in 2001.

Over the years, his addiction recurred, leading him to return to rehab multiple times. In his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, Perry revealed he spent over $7 million on his journey to sobriety, undergoing rehab at least 15 times. Despite his struggles, he dedicated himself to helping others. He supported drug court reform and converted his Malibu home into a sober-living facility called Perry House, providing a refuge for men in recovery.

Film and Television Career

During his time on Friends, Perry explored film roles, starring in comedies like Fools Rush In (1997) with Salma Hayek, Almost Heroes (1998) with Chris Farley, and Three to Tango (1999) with Neve Campbell. While many of these films had modest receptions, Perry achieved box-office success with The Whole Nine Yards (2000), co-starring Bruce Willis and Amanda Peet. The film earned over $57 million and led to the 2004 sequel, The Whole Ten Yards.

In 2006, Perry starred in the TV movie The Ron Clark Story, earning Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for his portrayal of a dedicated teacher working with underserved students in New York City. He later appeared in independent films such as Numb (2007), where he played a screenwriter struggling with depression, and Birds of America (2008), which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

In 2009, Perry joined the cast of the comedy 17 Again, playing the older version of Zac Efron’s character. This marked another notable addition to his diverse acting portfolio. Throughout his career, Perry balanced comedic charm with heartfelt performances, leaving a lasting legacy in both television and film.

Later TV Shows: Studio 60 and The Odd Couple

In 2006, Matthew Perry made his return to television with Aaron Sorkin’s behind-the-scenes drama Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. Perry portrayed Matt Albie, a talented writer who returns to the comedy show that made him famous, alongside Bradley Whitford, who played his friend and collaborator. While the show garnered critical acclaim, it was canceled the following year due to disappointing ratings.

Perry tried his hand at sitcoms again in 2011 with Mr. Sunshine, though the show was short-lived. In 2012, he starred in Go On, portraying a sports talk show host who joins an eccentric support group after the death of his wife. The series lasted a full season before it was canceled.

Perry eventually found success with the 2015 revival of The Odd Couple, playing the messy Oscar Madison to Thomas Lennon’s meticulous Felix Unger. While the show received mixed reviews, the chemistry between Perry and Lennon resonated with audiences, allowing it to run for three seasons.

During this period, Perry also appeared in a recurring role on the legal drama The Good Wife and reprised his role in the spinoff The Good Fight. One of his final notable roles was portraying Ted Kennedy in the 2017 limited series The Kennedys After Camelot, alongside Katie Holmes as Jackie Kennedy.

Girlfriends

Though Perry never married, he was engaged to his girlfriend, Molly Hurwitz, in November 2020. However, the couple announced their separation in May 2021. Perry had previous relationships with actresses Lizzy Caplan and Julia Roberts, as well as with TV executive Jamie Tarses, fashion student Rachel Dunn, and TV producer Gabrielle Allan.

Health Problems

Perry’s struggle with addiction was closely linked to a series of health issues. In 2000, he was hospitalized for pancreatitis, and in the summer of 2018, he suffered a severe gastrointestinal perforation. This was caused by complications from opioid abuse, which resulted in an explosion of his colon, leaving him in a critical condition. In his memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, Perry revealed that he was given only a 2 percent chance of survival. His recovery was grueling, involving a five-month hospital stay, including two weeks in a coma and over 14 surgeries. He used a colostomy bag for nine months as part of his long road to recovery.

Death

Perry’s life was tragically cut short when he passed away on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54. He was found unresponsive in the pool at his Los Angeles home by an assistant, who immediately called emergency services. Despite efforts to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead shortly after paramedics arrived.

The cause of his death was determined to be “the acute effects of ketamine,” with contributing factors including drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid addiction. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner ruled his death an accident, though it was noted that the amount of ketamine in his system was much higher than what he had been prescribed for his depression and anxiety treatments. Investigations by the Los Angeles Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration revealed that Perry had relapsed into addiction in the months leading up to his death.

In the wake of his passing, a foundation was established in his honor to assist those struggling with addiction. Perry is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, across from Warner Bros. Studios, where he filmed Friends.