Actor Matthew Perry, who played the character Chandler Bing in the hit sitcom Friends, was found dead at his home, American media reported on Saturday, October 28.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the 54-year-old actor was found dead at his home in Pacific Palisades, a neighborhood in Los Angeles. No sign that would suggest a criminal act was found, according to anonymous sources cited by the same newspaper and the specialized media TMZ, which first announced the death. According to NBC News, which cites a representative of the actor and a source within the police department, Matthew Perry was the victim of what appears to be a drowning.
The actor was best known for the role of Chandler Bing in the very popular series Friends, which aired on NBC from 1994 to 2004. The ten seasons made Matthew Perry one of the most famous actors in Hollywood, alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow and David Schwimmer, who played a group of friends in New York.
Addiction
As Chandler, he plays the sarcastic, insecure and neurotic roommate of Joey and Ross, played by Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer respectively. The series was one of the biggest hits on American television and has seen new life – and surprising popularity with young fans – in recent years on streaming services.
The actor had been battling his addiction to painkillers and alcohol for years, and had attended specialized clinics on several occasions. During a recent TV appearance, he surprised the audience by admitting to having suffered from severe anxiety “every night” while filming Friends.
Matthew Perry notably received a nomination in 2002 for the Emmy Awards, the American television awards, for his role in Friends and two others in 2003 and 2004 for his appearances as an associate advisor to the president in At the White House.
In addition to Friends, the actor had played in comedies such as Love at First Sight and Aftermath (1997), with Salma Hayek, or My Neighbor the Killer (2000), alongside Bruce Willis, and 17 Years Again (2009 ), with Zac Efron.