Matthew Perry's Sister and Friends Detail His Struggles in New Netflix Documentary

A new three-part Netflix documentary titled "The One About Matthew Perry" offers an intimate look at the life and struggles of the late actor, who died in October 2023 at the age of 54. The series features interviews with Perry's sister, Mia Perry, and childhood friends, who break their silence on his lifelong battle with addiction and his personal challenges. Perry's "Friends" co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer did not participate in the documentary.

Mia Perry, a psychotherapist, described her experience watching the documentary as learning "how to hold gratitude and grief simultaneously." Director Mary Robertson noted that Mia's contributions provide a voice to personal experiences with "universal aspects."

A Battle with Addiction

The documentary reveals the extreme lengths Matthew Perry took to overcome his addictions to alcohol, prescription opioids, and ketamine. According to Mia, Perry spent an estimated $7 million attempting to achieve sobriety, attending 15 rehabilitation programs and 6,000 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. His struggles with alcohol began at age 14, and his dependency on painkillers escalated after a jet-ski accident in 1997, shortly after joining "Friends." At the peak of his Vicodin use, he was consuming approximately 55 pills daily, far exceeding the recommended dosage.

Perry's addiction led to severe health consequences, including pneumonia and a burst colon in 2018, which required him to wear a colostomy bag for nine months. Two years later, his heart stopped for five minutes at a Swiss rehabilitation facility due to a reaction between a sedative and opioids, resulting in eight broken ribs during resuscitation. This incident prevented him from taking a role in the film "Don't Look Up."

Mia Perry recounted learning about her brother's addiction struggles through a celebrity gossip magazine, initially disbelieving the reports until her parents confirmed he was in rehab. Former NBC executive Warren Littlefield recalled that "Friends" producers became aware of Perry's issues before the fourth season and supported his decision to enter a "tough" rehabilitation facility.

Personal Life and Regrets

Perry, who never married or had children, had several high-profile relationships. Childhood friend Roger Castillo noted that while Perry considered some relationships serious, he often "regretted moving on quickly." His ex-girlfriend Rome Shadanloo described intimacy as Perry's "greatest wish, and biggest fear."

The Role of Batman and "Friends"

Perry's fascination with Batman began in childhood, and a Batman action figure was a constant presence during his ICU stay and subsequent recovery. The documentary also touches upon the filming of the "Friends" series finale, specifically Chandler and Monica's wedding, which occurred while Perry was intermittently attending rehab. Mia Perry shared that the cast and crew were concerned about his well-being during those scenes, which were imbued with real emotion.

Perry himself identified with his character, Chandler Bing, describing himself in archival footage as "a guy who was sort of trying to distract everybody from how miserable he was all the time by being funny." The casting of Chandler was reportedly swift, with Perry's audition lasting less than 30 seconds before producers felt he embodied the character.

Legal Ramifications and Family's Feelings

The documentary also addresses the legal consequences following Perry's death. His longtime assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, was among five individuals convicted in connection with his overdose. Iwamasa pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine, resulting in death, and was sentenced to over three years in prison. Mia Perry expressed deep feelings of betrayal by Iwamasa, stating, "He should have known better. He could have quit his job. He could have come and told one of the family members." Four others, including Perry's drug counselor and a dealer known as the "Ketamine Queen," were also convicted.

Matthew Perry's funeral was attended by close friends and family. Mia Perry recalled the presence of his "Friends" co-stars, who walked to his casket holding hands and crying. She also shared a poignant memory of feeling her brother's presence and humor during the service, making her laugh despite the somber occasion.