Matthew Perry, the beloved star of the iconic TV show "Friends," faced a tragic and lonely end, battling personal demons and isolation. Despite his fame and success, Perry struggled with feelings of inferiority compared to his co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer, leaving him embittered and alone.
Sources close to Perry revealed that underneath his glamorous lifestyle lay deep-seated issues. "Matthew had everything one could ask for, yet he was constantly battling his inner turmoil. His success was overshadowed by his constant comparisons with others, which only fueled his insecurities," disclosed an insider.
The actor's battle with addiction is well-documented. He openly discussed his struggles with alcohol and opioids, spending around $7 million on numerous rehab stints, as shared in his 2022 memoir, "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing." Despite claiming sobriety in recent years and even converting his Malibu home into a sober living facility, Perry's internal struggles persisted.
Perry's life took a turn for the worse on October 28, when emergency responders found him unresponsive in his hot tub at his Pacific Palisades home. According to sources, prescription drugs, including antidepressants and antianxiety pills, were found, but no illegal substances. "The hot tub, where he spent hours ruminating over his life, became the place of his tragic end," the insider added.
Isolation marked Perry's final years. He reportedly had minimal contact with his "Friends" co-stars and was notably absent from significant gatherings, including Kudrow's 60th birthday. "The idea that the 'Friends' cast were close off-screen is more myth than reality. The relationship dynamics were far more complex," shared the source.
Perry's anxiety, especially during live performances on "Friends," was a well-known aspect of his struggles. He once confessed that the pressure to make the audience laugh was excruciating, leading to severe anxiety attacks.
His personal life was marked by unhealthy habits. "Perry was often seen chain-smoking and indulging in junk food. His health and appearance visibly deteriorated over the years," a source remarked. Despite attempts to stay active through sports like pickleball, his lifestyle choices had taken a toll on his health.
In the end, Matthew Perry's story is a poignant reminder of the fragility of human life, especially in the face of fame and fortune. His journey, marked by addiction, personal struggles, and isolation, tragically culminated in an untimely demise, leaving a legacy tinged with both brilliance and profound sadness.
The Globe magazine spoke to source.
