Matthew Perry

[PoopooKaKa]

Just shows always check in on people who hide behind humour they tend to struggle with addiction and mental health greatly. Wish the Paps would of been told to leave the area to allow his family privacy .

 

[HotesTilaire]

It’s really hard with how intrusive the media and social media is when you’re grieving. Just because the cast are famous doesn’t mean they’re used to it. Everyone wants more and more info, quotes, rake over the (public) history. It’s horrible.

 

[GalaxyGirl70]

Sitting for hours in a hot tub isn't going to do anyone's heart many favours, but what a tragic end. He always struck me as so sad without many genuine people around him.

I am surprised it wasn't an OD to be honest.... but I hope he's found peace.

 

[lenny9]

could I be any more sad

 

[poppyseed1]

Didn’t a lot of them not bother with him after Friends! There certainly seemed tension at the reunion show

Can’t blame them, addicts are hard to be around there’s no beating around the bush

 

[Yel]

There’s a whole cohort of opioid addicted Americans caused by the greed of doctors who failed to consider the risk when cash bonuses and holidays to the Bahamas were thrown at them from the likes of Pardue.

I think it's worse than that, they totally knew of the risks but it was profitable so money was put above patient safety.

Synthetic opioids have destroyed whole communities and killed hundreds of thousands, but it was allowed to happen because billions could be made.

 

[georgiecait]

I read his book before he died so I have a different perspective to many who are reading it now. I learned so much about addiction and how it all comes about, what happens in and out of rehab and also as a Friends fan I found out so many fun things I didn't know before.
He really did give it a go and it's just so sad he's gone, tearing up as I write this

 

[ButtonDownTheHutches]

If Perry had of not made it and had to keep grafting then he might still be alive. All that money and free time with no purpose can be difficult.

Years and years ago - possibly while Friends was still being filmed - I read an interview with him where he said “it’s a very dangerous thing to have all your dreams come true at the age of 25”.

That really struck me, and it was always the first thing I thought of whenever I saw an article about his issues.

 

[Milking Keynes]

Agree the Ross/Rachel storyline was the central plot and everything else sort of happened around it.

I agree with others about the mixed feelings regarding MP. It is of course tragic but I don’t think he came across as a particularly likeable person and a lot of people are thinking about Chandler rather than MP. He was unfortunate to be it appears highly susceptible to addiction with the addition of massive wealth to be able to fund it and never really have any need to get clean.

True - 55k is nothing to spend when you earn between $10-20 mill annually from Friends. You would throw money at what you felt you needed right now, immediately, etc. It’s a shame in a way as the money would mean such a lot if redirected - even the smaller amounts.

I’m enjoying the chat here as I find that I need time to process after somebody dies that was part of a series that defined a generation. I remember when Friends first came out and an Irish Times journalist wrote believe me, this is a reason to stay in on a Friday night. I was thinking - no way - go out Friday, stay in Saturday with a takeaway and watch Casualty. Boy, did Friends upend my social life after I finally gave in.

What I’m saying is - after the headlines are dissipating, it’s nice to have a platform to chat about our opinions.

 

[Milking Keynes]

PA injected him 27 TIMES in a week ‍ so more than 3x a day??? Holy cow.

So, so sad, the whole thing. He was a young, vibrant, tennis player who dated Gwyneth the summer before fame for either of them, Everything ahead of him - I remember thinking he had so much to offer and the world at his feet - be careful what you wish for - Hollywood is a cesspit.

 

[GalaxyGirl70]

I do worry how people who die young(ish) from drug overdoses/addictions are kind of hero worshipped in death.

The coverage over MP is now bordering on ghoulish, and I really respect that the other cast from Friends have kept a dignified silence other than a brief joint statement. Sometimes there is just nothing to say.

 

[CeeCeeBloom]

Depending on your age, a lot of people are shocked how upset they are over Matthew’s death because they perhaps hadn’t realised how much Friends had been there in their lives.
It was constant in so many lives, especially those born in late 80s and the 90s and then it just kept going.
Friends stopped making episodes but they ran forever and now with Netflix it’s always there. When you’re hungover, Sunday morning cooking breakfast, background telly. Always there. So comforting.
So it feels like part of our childhood/formative years has broken off with his death.

Nail on the head. MP as a person I didn't necessarily follow loved friends and I enjoyed studio 60 but yes a lot of the sadness is around and end of an era. Also interesting to see how its playing out aswell with so many background stories. Hank Azarias one in particular I found very sad.
I am incredibly sad for his story but if I heard it about Joe Bloggs I think I'd feel the same sadness.

 

[lilyannrose]

His autobiography was really uncomfortable reading as it was clear that even if not in active addiction, he was not in the right frame of mind to be documenting all his issues.

I didn't read it but did not need to the press leaked the most "juicy" bits and it was mortifying. I don't think many people in their right mind would have made such revelations even in the name of healing through honesty.

The worst was the way he asked why Keanu Reeves was "still here" rather than "original thinkers" like River Phoenix and Heath Ledger. He retracted it after the outcry but wow, if there was ever a sign that he was still using all along!

 

[lira]

Finally got to watch the reunion and right off the bat I felt like Jen was a bit OTT. Maybe that's just her as a person but I can't really explain it. Courtney seemed to be a bit embarrassed by her character being with Matthew's in the way she completely wrote him off in the future scenarios in comparison to Jen and David. Matt and Lisa seem really chill which I like. I don't feel like Matthew was as reserved and down in the dumps as it's been made out? He probably just didn't have much to add considering he doesn't remember a lot of the show, and felt stressed to make everyone laugh at all times.

 

[IfTheCapFits]

Can't say I'm comfortable reading 'he was an addict, it was his choice'.

Addiction literally changes your brain chemistry & thought processes. Yes, he should have protected himself by not being around anyone who could supply. But it’s really not as simple as that unfortunately.

 

[Lonette]

It's a good thing he apologised and will leave it out of future editions but the fact he even included it at all...what on earth! That was the moment I went right off him and I'm not even what I'd call a fan of Reeves (as in, I've not seen many of his films is all) because anyone who thinks it's okay to tell the world something like that is to be avoided.

It was absolutely grim the stuff Perry was coming out with during the memoir PR tour. Has sort of ruined Chandler Bing for me at least somewhat. There's being honest and then there's taking soulbearing and attention seeking to unhealthy levels.

 

[YeahBrackie]

I read his book before he died so I have a different perspective to many who are reading it now. I learned so much about addiction and how it all comes about, what happens in and out of rehab and also as a Friends fan I found out so many fun things I didn't know before.
He really did give it a go and it's just so sad he's gone, tearing up as I write this

One of the many heartbreaking things about addiction is when someone's body gives out whilst they're still mentally trying to get sober and pursue recovery, even in the midst of periodic lapses.

Some people are in and out of rehabs for decades, seem to be a "lost cause" and then get and stay sober well into their 40s, 50s, 60s or even 70s. But for that to even have a chance of happening, the body has to have not given up on them. It's really the luck of the draw with regards to that. Some of us are lucky enough to stay alive long enough for one of our repeated attempts at recovery to finally stick, and for all that combined hard work over the years to come together. And for some of us, the body gives in even while the mind is still desperately fighting. It seems even more tragic when that happens, when that possibility of one day making it stick after so many years of hard work is simply ripped away because you were one of the unlucky ones.

 

[GalaxyGirl70]

What people don't realise is that your brain chemicals get altered when you start messing around with drugs and it's impossible for that ever to be restored. Add on prescription meds like anti depressants and he was doomed, the poor sod. I'm quite honestly amazed he got into his 50s given his past.

 

[MavisWilton]

I’m thinking about him a lot recently. I have a friend currently facing up to the fact that he has addiction issues. It’s really tough.

I skim read a bit of Matthew’s book yesterday from the free sample you’re allowed on iBooks. I’ve never been massively tempted to read it despite being a big fan of his and of Friends. I knew it would be very self-indulgent, for want of a better word. Most addicts just seem to think they’re the first person who ever suffered and I just don’t want to read 400 pages of that. I knew it would be upsetting and sad.

Doesn’t mean I don’t have great compassion for him and where he ended up, but it’s also quite a selfish and navel-gazing thing, being off your fce on drugs all the time. It’s complex.

 

[Affiliatemebaby]

They’re drug dealers. They’re shits. What they do is immoral and kills people. It’s no surprise at all that they abuse and exploit their customers.

The PA had the choice not to do it. He did it.