Perry was 54 when he died on October 28, 2023, at his home in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles. His death shocked fans, fellow actors and colleagues who had followed his career for decades.
The medical examiner classified the death as an accident, identifying drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine as contributing factors.
How Matthew Perry died
Perry was found unresponsive in the pool at his residence. Emergency responders attended the scene, but he could not be revived.
An autopsy and toxicology testing subsequently established that the acute effects of ketamine were the primary cause of death. The report indicated that the drug’s effects likely caused Perry to lose consciousness and his ability to remain above the water, contributing to the drowning.
The medical examiner also identified coronary artery disease as a contributing condition. Buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder, was present and was listed as another contributing factor because of its potential effects on breathing.
Questions surrounding ketamine treatment
Before his death, Perry had reportedly been receiving ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety. However, investigators noted that his last known treatment had occurred approximately a week and a half earlier.
According to the autopsy findings, the amount of ketamine detected in his blood could not be explained by that earlier treatment because the drug is typically metabolised within hours. The precise method by which the ketamine entered his system before his death was not established in the medical examiner’s report.
Ketamine has legitimate medical uses, including as an anaesthetic and, in certain settings, as a treatment for depression. However, its effects can be dangerous, particularly when it causes unconsciousness or impairs breathing and a person’s ability to protect themselves in water.
A long and public struggle with addiction
Perry had spoken openly about his struggles with substance use throughout his life. In his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, he described the personal and professional toll of addiction and his repeated efforts to recover.
His experiences made him an outspoken advocate for people facing similar challenges. He frequently discussed the importance of treatment and hoped his story could help others who were struggling.
Although Perry achieved worldwide fame through comedy, his public legacy also became closely connected to his willingness to speak candidly about addiction and recovery.
Remembering the actor behind Chandler Bing
Perry rose to international prominence as Chandler Bing on Friends, which aired from 1994 to 2004. His sarcastic humour, comic timing and memorable delivery helped make the character one of the sitcom’s most recognisable figures.
His death prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans, fellow actors and people who had followed his career. For many viewers, Perry’s performances remain a defining part of one of television’s most successful comedy series.
The official findings established that Perry died accidentally from the acute effects of ketamine, with drowning and other medical factors contributing. His death also renewed discussion about addiction, medical treatment and the importance of support for people living with substance-use disorders.
