LOS ANGELES, Oct 29 (Reuters) – Actor Matthew Perry, beloved star of the top-rated Nineteen Nineties U.S. tv sitcom “Pals” because the wise-cracking Chandler Bing, died on Saturday after apparently drowning in a scorching tub. He was 54.
The Los Angeles Instances and TMZ.com, citing legislation enforcement sources, reported that the American-Canadian performer was discovered lifeless in a jacuzzi at his Los Angeles dwelling. NBC, which broadcast “Pals” for 10 years, confirmed his demise in an announcement on social media platform X.
The information introduced an outpouring of grief from fellow celebrities and different high-profile personalities.
Actor Mira Sorvino mentioned on X: “Oh no!!! Matthew Perry!! You candy, troubled soul!! Might you discover and happiness in Heaven, making everybody snicker along with your singular wit!!!”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was a former schoolmate of Perry’s in Ottawa, described the latter’s passing as “stunning and saddening”.
“I am going to always remember the schoolyard video games we used to play, and I do know folks world wide are by no means going to overlook the enjoyment he introduced them,” Trudeau mentioned on X. “Thanks for all of the laughs, Matthew. You have been beloved – and you may be missed.”
NBC Information, citing an unnamed consultant of Perry and a legislation enforcement supply, mentioned he was discovered lifeless at his dwelling within the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.
“We’re extremely saddened by the too-soon passing of Matthew Perry,” NBC Leisure mentioned. “He introduced a lot pleasure to a whole lot of thousands and thousands of individuals world wide together with his pitch excellent comedic timing and wry wit. His legacy will stay on by means of numerous generations.”
Perry’s final publish on Instagram, on Oct. 23, included {a photograph} of him sitting by a pool or jacuzzi at evening, with the phrases: “Oh, so heat water swirling round makes you are feeling good? I am Mattman.”
Perry was greatest recognized for his longtime function as Chandler within the internationally profitable “Pals,” which ran for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004, co-starring Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow.
The collection made worldwide celebrities out of all six castmates, who performed a close-knit group of younger adults who frolicked at one another’s flats and at “Central Perk,” a fictional Manhattan cafe.
[1/6]Solid member Matthew Perry smiles on the panel for the NBC tv collection “Studio 60 on the Sundown Strip” on the Tv Critics Affiliation summer time 2006 media tour in Pasadena, California U.S. July 21, 2006. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Picture Acquire Licensing Rights
One of many main story strains concerned a clandestine romance between Chandler and Monica Geller, the character performed by Cox, which the 4 different buddies – Rachel, Joey, Phoebe and Ross – every found one after the other. The pair ultimately marry.
The group reunited in 2021, 17 years after the collection finale, for a much-hyped particular that aired on HBO Max.
The present was, for a time, essentially the most watched U.S. tv program in prime time, with every actor incomes $1 million per episode on the top of its reputation.
Hidden from the general public’s view throughout a lot of the unique run was Perry’s extended wrestle with dependancy to pharmaceuticals and alcohol, which he detailed in his 2022 memoir, “Pals, Lovers and the Large Horrible Factor.”
“Hello, my identify is Matthew, though chances are you’ll know me by one other identify. My buddies name me Matty. And I must be lifeless,” Perry wrote within the opening of the ebook.
In a New York Instances interview revealed in October 2022, Perry mentioned he had been clear for 18 months: “I’ve in all probability spent $9 million or one thing attempting to get sober.”
Perry recounted in his ebook that he needed to be pushed again to rehab proper after taking pictures the episode of Chandler and Monica’s marriage ceremony.
Following “Pals,” Perry went on to star in three extra community tv ventures that proved short-lived – “Studio 60 on the Sundown Strip,” “Mr. Sunshine” and “Go On.”
He additionally logged visitor appearances or recurring roles in different hit TV reveals, together with “The West Wing,” “Ally McBeal,” “Scrubs” and “Beverly Hills, 90210.” His movement image credit included “Fools Rush In,” “The Complete 9 Yards,” “Nearly Heroes” and “Three to Tango.”
The Massachusetts-born actor grew up in Ottawa after his mom, a Canadian journalist who as soon as served as press secretary to former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, divorced Perry’s father and married a Canadian broadcasting character.
Perry was a top-ranking junior tennis participant earlier than he moved to Los Angeles to pursue appearing and improvisational comedy.
Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Further reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa; Modifying by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Bernadette Baum
Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.