Beloved “Friends” Star Matthew Perry’s Death Certificate Reveals New Details
The untimely death of “Friends” star Matthew Perry, 54, on Oct. 28 left fans and friends reeling, and new details have emerged from the release of his official death certificate. The document, obtained by media outlets, sheds some light on the circumstances surrounding his passing almost two weeks after it occurred.
According to the death certificate, Mr. Perry died at his Pacific Palisades home near Los Angeles at 4:17 p.m. His stepfather, 76-year-old “Dateline” correspondent Keith Morrison, served as the informant providing personal information. Mr. Perry’s occupation is listed as an “actor,” noting his impressive 38-year career in the entertainment industry.
The charismatic actor, who gained worldwide fame for his role as Chandler Bing on the hit sitcom “Friends,” was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles on Nov. 3 in a private ceremony attended by family and former co-stars.
The Hollywood Hills cemetery, where Mr. Perry was buried, is situated near the Warner Bros. studio lot where the popular sitcom was filmed, adding a poignant connection to the actor’s final resting place.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office listed Mr. Perry’s cause of death as “deferred,” with toxicology reports still pending. Preliminary tests showed no presence of meth or fentanyl in his system, and no illegal drugs were found at his residence. Further testing is ongoing to determine if there were any prescription medications in the actor’s system.
The Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division is handling the investigation into Mr. Perry’s death, which occurred when he was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his residence.
Captain Erik Scott of the Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that firefighters responded to an address in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood and found “an adult male unconscious in a stand-alone jacuzzi” before pronouncing him deceased.
Mr. Perry had been candid about his past struggles with drugs and alcohol, a topic he addressed in his 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing.” He also shared his last post on Instagram just days before his death, providing a glimpse into his final days.
Despite the challenges he faced, those close to him maintain that Mr. Perry was clean and sober at the time of his passing. The death certificate notes that he was “never married,” echoing sentiments expressed in his memoir about longing for companionship and a family of his own.
As the investigation continues, friends and family gathered to remember the actor’s life. Mr. Perry’s co-stars from “Friends” paid tribute to him in a joint message, expressing their devastation over the loss of their cherished friend.
The legacy of Matthew Perry, both on and off the screen, has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry, and his memory will be honored by those who knew and loved him.
