For years Matthew Perry battled drug and alcohol addiction, silently battling his inner turmoil as he continued to make thousands of people laugh every day as Chandler Bing. As his character lives on, continuing to bring smiles to many all over the world, Perry passed away at his Los Angeles residence in an apparent drowning case on 28 October.
However, just less than a year before in his tell-all memoir, Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing, the actor opened up about his crippling addiction and made a haunting statement about his death.
Matthew Perry’s Haunting Statement About His Death
Also Read: 5 Underrated Movies of Matthew Perry That Every FRIENDS Fans Must See
Days before his death, Matthew Perry published his memoir titled, Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing where the actor revealed numerous details about his life from his time at the hit sitcom to his battling addiction.
In the memoir, the actor revealed how he almost passed away after having a gastrointestinal perforation surgery. His colon had burst due to opioid overuse and he inevitably fell into a coma for two dreadful weeks (via OK Magazine).
“The doctors told my family that I had a 2 percent chance to live. I was put on a thing called an ECMO machine, which does all the breathing for your heart and your lungs. And that’s called a Hail Mary. No one survives that.”
He then added about how close to death he had come that time and before during his struggle with alcohol and drugs, and how if he had passed away, no one would really be surprised,
“I think they’ll (his FRIENDS co-stars) be surprised at how bad it got at certain times and how close to dying I came. I say in the book that if I did die, it would shock people, but it wouldn’t surprise anybody. And that’s a very scary thing to be living with.”
His candid revelation serves as a cruel reminder of the harrowing struggles of alcoholism and drug abuse, while also serving as a reminder that there is always a chance for redemption even at the darkest of times.
Matthew Perry On His Crippling Addiction
In his memoir, he bravely wrote extensively on subjects one would prefer to keep things private. He candidly shed light on how he got addicted to alcohol due to his parent’s separation as a means to cope with the trauma. The addictions only grew worse once he got cast on FRIENDS, leaving him feeling more lost and helpless.
Perry also recalled how he had very little recollection of his time with FRIENDS due to his addiction and constant drug abuse. However, his co-stars were among the most supportive and patient of beings, who helped him until he could get back on his feet.
As Matthew Perry is no longer among us, his poignant words live on continuing to help navigate their struggles just as his beloved character Chandler Bing lives on being an eternal source of comfort for people in their everyday lives.
FRIENDS can be streamed on Max.
