Matthew Langford Perry (August 19, 1969 – October 28, 2023) was an American-Canadian actor famed for Chandler Bing on Friends (1994–2004). He earned Emmy nods for The West Wing (2003) and The Ron Clark Story (2006), led Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (2006–2007), and starred in films like Fools Rush In (1997), The Whole Nine Yards (2000), and 17 Again (2009).
Before fame
As a teen, Perry ranked among Canada’s top junior tennis players.
Trivia
In 2006, he landed Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for his starring role in the TV movie The Ron Clark Story. He portrayed the adult version of Zac Efron’s character in the 2009 film 17 Again.
Family life
In November 2020, Perry got engaged to Molly Hurwitz, but they called it off in 2021. He dated actress Lizzy Caplan from 2006 to 2012, and previously went out with Julia Roberts and Lauren Graham.
Death
Perry was found unresponsive in his Los Angeles jacuzzi on October 28, 2023, and died at age 54 from acute ketamine effects, plus drowning and heart disease. His funeral featured “Don’t Give Up,” and the Matthew Perry Foundation formed to fight addiction.