Matthew Perry Documentary Reveals Heartbreaking Details of Addiction and Life

The newly released Netflix documentary, "The One About Matthew Perry," offers a poignant look into the life of the "Friends" star, detailing his profound struggles with addiction, his complex relationship with fame, and intimate recollections from his family and friends.

"The One About Matthew Perry" is a three-episode series that delves into the actor's journey from his breakout role as Chandler Bing to his untimely death at age 54 on October 28, 2023. While none of his "Friends" co-stars participated in the documentary, the film features interviews with his sister, Mia Perry Bowick, and several lifelong friends who offer insights into his personal life.

Perry often felt that his character, Chandler Bing, was a reflection of himself, stating in archival footage that he played a "guy who was sort of trying to distract everybody from how miserable he was all the time by being funny." Former NBC executive Warren Littlefield recalled the ease with which Perry was cast as Chandler, noting that it took "less than 30 seconds" of his audition for producers to know he was the right fit.

Perry's childhood was marked by his parents' separation and the feeling of being a "too needy" child. His father, actor John Bennett Perry, was often seen only on television after the divorce, and young Matthew would travel alone between his mother's home in Montreal and his father's in Los Angeles. Both parents remarried and had other children, contributing to Perry's feeling of having "two families."

As "Friends" achieved massive success, Perry reportedly felt that "of course this is happening," unlike some castmates who expressed surprise. His sister noted that fame was a "massive life shift" for the entire family, with paparazzi becoming a constant presence.

Beyond his professional life, Perry was known for his generosity. His sister recalled him gifting her a red Ford Mustang convertible for Christmas when she was 15. Friends also spoke of his ability to "charm" women, with one friend recalling frequent visits to the Playboy Mansion.

Despite his initial happiness with fame, Perry's perspective shifted, as he admitted in archival footage that success "didn't fix what's inside of me." A sense of emptiness and loneliness, dating back to childhood, proved difficult to fill. He began drinking at age 14, experiencing what he described as "heaven" and a feeling of "euphoria" that he believed mimicked how "normal people feel all the time."

The documentary details Perry's descent into addiction, which began with painkillers after a jet ski accident in 1997. "He felt this incredible euphoria," Perry stated in archival footage, leading him to take more and experience withdrawal symptoms when he stopped.

His sister first learned of his addiction through tabloid headlines in 1997, initially dismissing them as untrue. However, her parents confirmed he was in rehab. "Friends" producers were aware of Perry's struggles, with one executive noting that "Matthew has a problem" around Season 4, leading to him entering rehab.

Perry reportedly "had a very hard time managing his substance use" during the filming of "Friends," particularly seasons 5 through 7. He attempted to hide his addiction by taking just enough to manage withdrawal symptoms without appearing high.

His father, John Bennett Perry, was a constant source of support, often dropping everything to help his son when he was struggling. This support stemmed, in part, from a feeling that he "owed a lot to Matthew for not getting to be there when he was younger."

The wedding of Chandler and Monica in the "Friends" Season 7 finale, "The One With Monica and Chandler's Wedding," was a particularly poignant moment. Perry was reportedly going back and forth from rehab during the filming, and his family was present, grappling with the "unspoken truth" of his struggle. His sister recalled the genuine emotion in his eyes during his wedding vows to Monica.

Perry never married or had children, though his relationships included actress Julia Roberts and Lizzy Caplan. Friends noted that he often had "regret" after moving on too quickly from serious relationships.

Perry's dedication to sobriety was intense; he reportedly attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings three times a day at one point and spent an estimated $7 million attempting to get sober. His sister stated that he "never quite could make it for a year" of sobriety.

Following "Friends," Perry experienced career disappointments with shows like "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" and "Mr. Sunshine" being canceled after one season. These setbacks were "tangled up" with his health struggles, as he may have believed his career would have taken a different path if he had been well.

Around 2013, Perry found a new purpose in "helping people," particularly through sponsoring others in AA and advocating for drug courts and sober living homes. Former CEO of All Rise, West Huddleston, noted Perry's use of his platform to bring attention to addiction as a disease.

His 2016 play, "The End of Longing," was described as his "masterpiece" by his sister, but it took a significant toll on him. Director Jonathan Lynn observed that Perry seemed subdued and "a prisoner of his addiction" after seeing the play.

A near-death experience in 2018, when his colon ruptured due to opioid use, left him in a coma for three months. His sister recalled thinking, "he's not waking up," and that he had "multiple near misses" throughout his life.

Perry was reportedly "struggling" during the filming of the 2021 "Friends" reunion. His sister noted that he was "fighting for his life" and that the "energy and life force in him was really diminished."

He was later forced back onto opioids for pain relief after dental surgeries, a situation that "deathly afraid" him of relapsing. He eventually turned to ketamine therapy, which his sister described as giving him a "spiritual experience."

Perry's 2022 memoir, "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing," was considered his "life's work." His sister stated that he was the happiest they had ever seen him while promoting the book.

Perry died in his hot tub at his Los Angeles home on October 28, 2023. The autopsy report attributed his death to the "acute effects of ketamine," with the manner listed as accidental drowning. His sister expressed "confusion" upon learning the cause of death, as she had assumed a heart attack.

At Perry's private funeral, his "Friends" co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer reportedly held hands around his casket and cried.

In August 2024, five individuals, including Perry's former assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, were arrested in connection with his death. Iwamasa was sentenced to over three years in prison for administering the fatal ketamine shots. Other individuals charged included doctors, a drug trafficker, and a broker. The drug trafficker, Jasveen Sangha, received a 15-year sentence.

"The One About Matthew Perry" is currently available for streaming on Netflix.