American actor Matthew Perry, 54, was found dead in his bathtub at his home in Los Angeles, American media reported on Saturday, specifying that first aid was not able to revive him. He became known for his role as Chandler Bing in the television series “Friends”.
No sign that would suggest a criminal act was found, according to anonymous sources cited by the same newspaper and the specialized media TMZ, which first announced the death. Its representatives did not immediately respond to requests from AFP.
Matthew Perry was best known for the role of Chandler Bing, who did not lack humor, in the ultra-popular series “Friends”, broadcast on NBC for ten seasons, from 1994 to 2004, with some 235 episodes.
The cast of “Friends” pose for photographers at the Channel 4 studios in London, Wednesday March 25, 1998. They are filming the final episode of their latest series. From left to right, Matt Le Blanc, Courtney Cox, Matthew Perry, Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer. [Lynne Sladky – Keystone]
>> See the tribute from 12:45 p.m. on Sunday:
![American actor Matthew Perry died on Saturday at the age of 54. He brilliantly embodied the character of "Chandler" in the cult series "Friends" [RTS]](https://allnewspresscdn.cloudspecter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1698611528_450_Friends-actor-Matthew-Perry-dies-at-age-54-rtsch.image.jpeg)
Addiction to painkillers
The actor had struggled for years with his addiction to painkillers and alcohol, and had attended rehabilitation clinics on several occasions. During a recent television appearance, Matthew Perry surprised the audience by admitting to having suffered from severe anxiety “every night” while filming “Friends.”
In his memoir published last year, he admitted to undergoing 65 drug treatment sessions, spending more than $9 million. According to TMZ, no drugs were found at the scene of the actor’s death on Saturday.
In addition to “Friends,” Matthew Perry has starred in films such as “Fools Rush In” and “The Whole Nine Yards.”
>> Details in 12:30 p.m.:
Paid a million dollars per episode
He had undergone several surgeries linked to his drug addiction problems, including a seven-hour colon operation in 2018, going so far as to say one day: “I should be dead”.
Alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry made the success of this television series adored by American youth and beyond. In the end, the six heroes were paid around a million dollars per episode.
According to Variety, they even negotiated a fee of $2.5 million each for the filming of a reunion show in 2021. During this episode, Matthew Perry aroused the fears of his fans visibly stammering his words.
>> Also listen to the analysis of Pierre Langlais, journalist and series specialist at Télérama, on the impact of the series “Friends”:
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