Matthew Perry, the Actor Who Played Chandler Bing on Friends, Dies at 54

Matthew Perry, the actor who was best known as Chandler Bing on Friends, has died at the age of 54.

As reported by The Los Angeles Times, law enforcement sources claim Perry was found dead on Saturday, October 28, in a hot tub at his home in Los Angeles. There is currently no cause of death, but the sources do state there were no drugs found at the scene and that no foul play was suspected.

The Los Angeles Police Department’s robbery-homicide detectives are currently investigating Perry’s death and the cause of death will be determined in the future by the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.

Matthew Perry was born on August 19, 1969, in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and began his journey to become an actor at the age of 15 when he moved to Los Angeles. After graduating from the Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, he was cast as Chazz Russell in Second Chance, a show that would become Boys Will Be Boys after 13 episodes.

He would continue on to appear in such shows and films as A Night in The Life of Jimmy Reardon, Growing Pains, Beverly Hills, 90210, Sydney, and many more, but his big break was obviously Friends.

Perry starred as Chandler Bing alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer during Friends’ 10-season run that made it one of the greatest TV shows to ever do it. We ranked Friends the 56th-best show of all time, and it was in large part due to Perry and the rest of the cast.

“Friends is one of the most successful and popular sitcoms of all time,” We said. “Putting out more than 200 episodes over the course of 10 years, the sitcom has some of the most iconic moments on television. With a catchy theme song, a will-they-won’t-they relationship, some truly special guest stars, a mysteriously large apartment, and memorable catchphrases, the show set the standard for shows about roommates and pals dealing with dating, work woes, and shenanigans for years to come.”

Perry earned an Emmy nomination in 2002 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series alongside Matt LeBlanc, but they both lost to Ray Romano. Despite that, Perry’s portrayal of Chandler Bing is one of the most iconic TV performances of all time.

Unfortunately, Perry also struggled with addiction. He opened up about the challenges he faced in his memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.”

“Let’s not sugarcoat it,” Perry said in his memoir. “At forty-nine, I was still afraid to be alone. Left alone, my crazy brian (crazy only in this area by the way) would find some excuse to do the unthinkable: drink and drugs. In the face of decades of my life having been ruined by this, I’m terrified of doing it again.

“I have no fear of talking in front of twenty thousand people, but put me alone on my couch in front of a TV for the night and I get scared. And that fear is of my own mind; fear of my own thoughts; fear that my mind will urge me to turn to drugs, as it has so many times before. My mind is out to kill me, and I know it. I am constantly filled with a lurking of loneliness, a yearning, clinging to the notion that something outside of me will fix me.”

Following Friends, Perry starred in other films and movies like 17 Again, Mr. Sunshine, Go On, and The Odd Couple.

Many people have already shared their thoughts and sadness for Perry’s passing, and you can check out some of them below.

“We are devastated by the passing of our dear friend Matthew Perry,” Warner Bros. Television Group, said. “Matthew was an incredibly gifted actor and an indelible part of the Warner Bros. Television Group family. The impact of his comedic genius was felt around the world, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of so many. This is a heartbreaking day, and we send our love to his family, his loved ones, and all of his devoted fans.”

“We are incredibly saddened by the too soon passing of Matthew Perry,” NBC said. “He brought so much joy to hundreds of millions of people around the world with his pitch perfect comedic timing and wry wit. His legacy will live on through countless generations.”

We are devastated to learn of Matthew Perry’s passing. He was a true gift to us all. Our heart goes out to his family, loved ones, and all of his fans. pic.twitter.com/Xv6HkpSEBl

— FRIENDS (@FriendsTV) October 29, 2023

Selma Blair wrote, “My oldest boy friend. All of us loved Matthew Perry, and I did especially. Every day. I loved him unconditionally. And he me. And I’m broken. Broken hearted. Sweet dreams Matty. Sweet dreams.”

Maggie Wheeler, who played Janice on Friends, said, “What a loss. The world will miss you Mathew Perry . The joy you brought to so many in your too short lifetime will live on. I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared.”

Our #OddCouple family suffered a great loss today. The entire entertainment world has. I am too sad about the news to say more than this: @mattyperry4 was a sweetheart who deserved more peace in this life. 54 is too young to go. We love you, Matty! #RIPMatthewPerry ? pic.twitter.com/oUG7UQAHDz

— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) October 29, 2023

Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.