A year has passed since Matthew Perry, famed for his role in “Friends,” was found unresponsive in his Los Angeles home hot tub. He died on October 28, 2023, following an afternoon of pickleball before returning to his ocean-view residence.
Perry’s family, who had witnessed his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction over the years, were devastated by what his mother, Suzanne Perry, described as an inevitable outcome. In an emotional interview, she conveyed her grief and the helplessness felt by loved ones trying to support someone battling addiction. “You’ve got to stop blaming yourself because it tears you up,” she advised.
Perry rose to prominence as Chandler Bing, a character beloved for his witty one-liners and sarcasm, on the hit NBC sitcom “Friends,” which aired for ten seasons from 1994 to 2004. In his memoir published in 2022, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir,” he candidly discussed his battle with addiction, including a near-fatal experience in 2019 caused by opioid use, which resulted in a ruptured colon. Over his struggle, he invested around $7 million in rehab.
Keith Morrison, Perry’s stepfather and a correspondent for “Dateline,” reflected on Perry’s tragic lesson: that money alone cannot cure addiction. Two months after Perry’s death, the Los Angeles County medical examiner reported that he died from the acute effects of ketamine, ruling his death accidental, with drowning and coronary artery disease as contributing factors.
Ketamine, traditionally a club drug, is now increasingly utilized to treat depression and other mental health conditions, yet it carries significant risks when misused. Perry had been receiving ketamine infusion therapy for his depression, but his last treatment was over a week before his passing, with levels in his system equating to those used in anesthesia.
In August, federal prosecutors charged five individuals connected to Perry’s death, including two doctors and a personal assistant, alleging they conspired to supply him with the ketamine involved in his demise. They claimed that from September until his death, about $55,000 worth of ketamine was provided to him.
Despite ongoing issues with addiction, family members noted that Perry seemed to be making progress in the months leading up to his death, reconnecting with friends and family, and embracing spirituality. His sisters recalled him as a joyful presence in their lives who sought love and connection.
To honor his legacy and address issues of addiction, Caitlin Morrison, Perry’s sister, helped establish the Matthew Perry Foundation, which aims to combat the stigma of addiction and advocate for improved treatment options. The foundation seeks to foster open dialogues about addiction and promote understanding that it should be treated as a health issue rather than a moral failing.
Suzanne Perry reflected on her complicated relationship with her son, noting that despite their struggles, they shared meaningful, loving moments in his final months. “I’m a very lucky woman,” she said, grateful for her family’s efforts, yet lamenting the one battle she could not win: helping her son.