United States: Matthew Perry, famous for his role as Chandler Bing in the popular TV show Friends, has passed away at the age of 54.
According to the sources, Perry died in apparent drowning at his house in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles. An official reason for his death has not been provided as of now.
Perry achieved worldwide recognition as one of the most well-known actors for portraying the sarcastic and quick-witted character Chandler Bing on NBC’s Friends. The show aired for 10 seasons, spanning from 1994 to 2004.
This comedy, depicting the lives of six friends in New York City, swiftly became a cultural sensation, receiving numerous Emmy Awards and achieving record-breaking ratings. Notably, the show’s 2004 finale drew over 52 million viewers in the US, making it the most-watched TV episode of the 2000s.
Warner Bros. TV, which produced Friends, said in a statement that, “We are devastated by the passing of our dear friend Matthew Perry. 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.”
In 2019, Perry experienced a two-week coma after his colon ruptured due to an opioid overdose. He had to undergo a total of 14 surgeries to manage the damage. In his 2022 memoir “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” Perry shared the story of a five-month hospitalisation following a colon rupture, where he believed he had just a 2 percent chance of surviving the night.