The tragic story of Matthew Perry - Nicki Swift (2023)

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pass throughChristiana IriniICarmen Rebecca/Updated: August 16, 2019 10:14 a.m. ET

Matthew PerryOnce one of the most popular actors on television. For a decade, from 1994 to 2004, he played the unforgettable comedian Chandler Bing on the hit NBC sitcomthe friends, a role that earned him a 2002 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. He then found success on the small screen and later starred in a seriesStudio 60 on the Sunset Strip,κ. Sunshine, METo continue- not to mention this moviethe whole nine metersIServe Sarah. While Perry's pockets may be full of cash, his private life is secretly falling apart.

From addictions to prescription drugs, multiple visits to rehab, health problems and unexpected scandals, Perry's life in Hollywood is not all it's cracked up to be.Red carpetand applause. In fact, his true story is tragic. Read on to find out about all of the actor's off-screen troubles, which unfortunately span decades.

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Perry's initial escape had nothing to do with Hollywood raves. AccordingPeopleIn 1997, the star had a jet ski accident and became addicted to the prescription drug Vicodin.

"Here, take it," he remembers the doctor telling him. “I did it and I feel better than ever in my life. I have a huge drug and alcohol problem and I can't stop.'

The success of things makes the situation more complicatedthe friends. "I wasthe friendsFrom 24 to 34,” Perry said. “I was in the middle of a hot fire because of my reputation. All six of us were everywhere. From an outsider's perspective, I seemed to have everything. It was really a very lonely time for me because I suffer from alcoholism. this has happened beforethe friendsbut it is a progressive disease. I'm not a party girl. I'm not the type of person to drink in a china shop. "

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In 1997, Perry made his firstrecovery journeyHe is trying to kick his drug addiction. AccordingPeopleHe then spent 28 days at the Hazelden Foundation Rehabilitation Center in Minnesota. The following year, she told the magazine: "I think after dealing with all that, there's nothing in the world I can't deal with," she said. “It was the scariest thing I've ever been through. When you go through something this difficult, you gain a whole new respect for yourself and life."

He reportedly returned to rehab a second time in 2001ABC News. "Matthew is obsessed with therapy so he can pursue his dream of entertaining people and making them laugh," his publicist said in a statement. “He appreciates everyone's concern and appreciates their respect for him. Privacy".

Accordingtimes los angelesPerry's second visit surprises NBCthe friendsThe series is in production, but station officials would not say whether his treatment affected the filming schedule.

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During his first and second rehab, Perry spent two weeks in the hospitalAcute pancreatitisAnd I lost 20 pounds. The condition has been reported to be caused by alcohol and prescription drug abuse.

"Life is hard in my opinion, he drinks a lot and has a terrible diet," he told me.us every week(passageAND! information.) “You play, you pay. But no drugs. I learned that at Hazelden."

after Perry was released from the hospitalhis Porsche crashedEnter the empty house. He was not injured in the mayhem and no drugs or alcohol were found in his system at the time. "Sarcasm is terrible," he saidus every weekthat terrible day. “I was going to go with my dad to his apartment outside of Los Angeles. I turned the first corner around my house through these very narrow streets, saw a truck in the middle, turned right - well, I don't really know what happened - I ran into this terrace.

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In 2011, Perry returned to rehab for a third time. He saidTMZHe had no relapses, he was just being proactive. "I plan to take a month off to focus on sobriety and continuing my recovery," he said. "Be happy you can make fun of me online."

Since then, Perry has worked hard helping others recover from drug and alcohol abuse. Speaking to lawmakers (above), the actor said "drug courts are the most effective program for treating serious drug addicts and restoring them to lifelong health."OyamaPerry added, “Every time I get a chance to talk about drug court in a one-on-one conversation or at a larger level — like when I'm testifying in this awful room — I take it because it's one of the few . things you can't do. Bright heads: saves lives, saves money, is reversible. "

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three yearsthe friendsIt's a bit confusing for Perry. As revealed in the articleBBC interview, due to his addiction, he does not remember most of the series. When asked about his least favorite episode, Perry didn't mince words. “Oh my God,” he said. “I think the answer is: I don't remember three years. So none of that…between seasons three and six.”

Perry saidPeopleIn 2013 it was difficult to hide his struggles. "I couldn't stop. Eventually it got so bad that I couldn't hide it and that's when everyone found out." He said he never used drugs or alcohol on set. "I was never excited about the job," he said. "I had a terrible hangover."

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Perry's work in helping others overcome their inner demons goes beyond talking to lawmakers. He went one step further by opening his former home to those in need in 2013.Peopleinterview for the magazine (byToday), Perry created the Perry House for men seeking a 12-step sobriety and meditation program. He essentially gave up his four-bedroom home in Malibu to help others.

In preparation, he worked with intervention specialist and addiction specialist Earl Hightower. "Matthew is an ambassador for providing opportunity to a broad population," Hightower said. "People he'll never meet will be served because he supports their cause."

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Perry's House enjoyed success for two years, but in 2015 the project hit a bumpy road - and it was all about finances. As a result, Matthew Perry sold the 5,500-square-foot home for $10.65 million, stating that it would be too expensive to continue construction. "It was a beach house in Malibu that was too expensive to run and the business wasn't really thriving," Perry explained to him.Hollywood reporter.

But the fact that the Malibu home didn't work out in the end doesn't mean the actor took Perry's life away. He announced that he would continue to run the rehabilitation center after finding a cheaper location. Recalling that he is looking for locations in Santa Monica and Studio City, Perry said, “I run the business because I love it. it's a great way to help alcoholics."

At the time of writing, Perry has not publicly announced the next location or start date for the facility.

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Even before Perry became famous, he was causing trouble - just like he beat up Justin Trudeau. Yes that's it. It is true that Perry brutally beat the future prime minister with a friend in the fifth grade in Canada, but the memory remained. "We all hit him," Perry saidJimmy Kimmel. "I think he's been great in a sport we're not good at, so it's pure envy."

"I think he's the only kid in school we can beat," Perry continued. “You know, I'm not bragging about it, it's awful. I'm a silly kid and I don't want to beat him. I actually think I was trying to turn it into a love game."

Trudeau later proposedinformationWhen he issued a statement asking for a rematch. Reasonable Perry declined the invitation. "I thought, 'Man, you've got an army at your disposal. I will not accept the challenge!”He said.

In November 2017, the porn star told Perry she had faced criticism for making claims about staying sober.daily mailPerry allegedly tried to ask her for medication. Adult artist Maddy O'Reilly, who claims she previously had sex with Perry at his Hollywood Hills home, messaged her asking if she had a "contact" she could help him with. Score 40 or 50 on "Vicaden/Roxy's/oxys", which are strong prescription opioids.

Perry has never publicly responded to the allegations, and it appears he has good reason to. First, O'Reilly claims that the entire message exchange started on an unverified Instagram account. Additionally, she claims Perry initially invited her to dinner, let her go at the last minute, and then texted her multiple times before asking her for medication.

It doesn't take a detective to think that O'Reilly might have been caught by a catfish. Besides, if she had sold the story to the tabloids after an apparent denial, O'Reilly would have looked rather suspicious, even if Perry had actually fallen out of the car in that embarrassing way.

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April 2017, Perrytweet“My face at the Odd Couple stage door was painted green. I think it's safe to assume we've been cancelled. #discreet.” The abrupt ending came as a surprise, but upon closer inspection, it turns out that Perry was either naive or simply cheating.

Co-star Thomas Lennon spilled the teacinema mixA month earlier, he had told the site that the "numbers" were not that attractive. Ifodd coupleWhen he returned, "no one was more surprised than me," he said. before thatTV lineThe ominous plot apparently occurred to Perry when it was reported in November 2016 that CBS "decided not to order the additional nine final episodes of the show's third season, reducing it to 13 episodes."

It looks like Perry may be playing the role of the unsuspecting victim here, but still, let's face it, the call is a more classic move for CBS.

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In May 2013, Perry received the Recovery Champion Award from the Obama administration's Office of National Drug Control Policy. Perry was speechless. AccordingHollywood reporter,” he called the honor “surreal” and added, “In my darkest days, I couldn't imagine receiving an award at the White House. "

In 2015, Perry received the "Phoenix Rising Award" from the renowned rehabilitation agency Phoenix House. "You can't have a drug problem for 30 years and expect it to be solved in 28 days," Perry told reporters.Hollywood reporterfor his awards. “At Phoenix House, I was deeply moved by the hope I saw there. That's the point. It's very difficult to maintain common sense."

As a comedian, he quipped: “I'm an award-winning alcoholic. I don't deserve a reward. Phoenix House must.'

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Despite his personal life full of ups and downs, Perry continues to turn his problems into positive goals, and for that he deserves a standing ovation.

"Now that I'm trying to help others, my life has more meaning," Perry said.Oyama. "It's also selfish – it makes you feel better than anything else."

In any case, he seems optimistic. "I've had a lot of ups and downs in my life and I've had a lot of great honors," he told me.Hollywood reporter"But the best thing for me is when an alcoholic comes up to me and asks, 'Can you help me quit drinking?' and I tell him “Yes. I know what to do"".