Matthew Perry, renowned for his portrayal of Chandler Bing, brought boundless joy to countless fans across the globe. Unfortunately, despite his ability to elicit laughter, he grappled with a years-long battle against addiction, unable to extend the same help to himself.

In his recently released memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” Perry candidly shared his tumultuous journey with addiction, along with shedding light on some truths regarding his co-star, Jennifer Aniston.

Tragically, Perry was discovered unresponsive in his Los Angeles home’s hot tub over the weekend, and a full investigation is pending to determine the precise cause of his passing.

Born in 1969 to a Canadian mother and an American father, the actor embarked on his cinematic career with his 1988 debut in “A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon,” a film that also featured the late River Phoenix.

His presence graced other notable shows, including “Growing Pains,” “Sydney” alongside Valerie Bertinelli, and “Beverly Hills, 90210.”

However, it was his iconic role as the quick-witted Chandler Bing in “Friends” that marked his breakthrough, a role he embraced for a decade, spanning from 1994 to 2004.

Over his extensive career spanning multiple decades, Perry took on leading roles in the 1997 romantic comedy “Fools Rush In” alongside Salma Hayek. In 2000 and 2004, he shared the screen with Bruce Willis in “The Whole Nine Yards” and its sequel, “The Whole Ten Yards.”

While his casting in “Friends,” one of the most iconic and beloved shows in television history, catapulted Perry to stardom, it also marked the onset of his struggles with alcohol abuse.

Perry admitted, “I thought I could manage it, to some extent. But by the time I reached 34, I was deeply mired in numerous issues. However, there were intermittent periods of sobriety during that time. Notably, I remained sober throughout Season 9. Interestingly, that was the same season in which I received a nomination for Best Actor. It made me reflect and think, ‘That should tell me something.’”

In 2018, he faced a health crisis when he was admitted to the hospital due to a gastrointestinal perforation. He slipped into a coma that lasted two weeks and endured a five-month stay in the hospital.

“The doctors informed my family that my chances of survival were a mere two percent,” Perry disclosed to People. “I was placed on an ECMO machine, which essentially took over the functions of both my heart and lungs. It was a last-ditch effort. Surviving that is incredibly rare.”

Perry openly acknowledged on numerous occasions that his “Friends” castmates were well aware of his struggles with addiction. Their support and closeness extended beyond the on-screen realm, strengthening their real-life bonds.

They demonstrated exceptional understanding and patience. “It’s similar to penguins. In nature, when one penguin falls ill or sustains a severe injury, the others gather around and support it. They encircle it and remain by its side until the penguin can stand on its own again. That’s essentially what the cast did for me,” Perry explained.

Nevertheless, it was Jennifer Aniston who unwaveringly stood by his side through all the highs and lows. She remained in constant contact with him during his most challenging moments.

“She was the one who extended the most support,” he revealed during an October 2022 interview with Diane Sawyer. “I’m truly appreciative of her for that.”

Aniston was also the first to address his drinking issues directly. “Jennifer, she told me, ‘We’re aware of your drinking,’” Sawyer mentioned, referencing a disclosure in Perry’s book.

“Yeah, just picture how frightening that moment was,” Perry responded.

After the heartbreaking loss of Perry, fans placed floral tributes outside the West Village, Manhattan, building that served as the iconic Friends apartment facade.

In response, the actor’s family issued a statement expressing their profound sorrow. They remarked, “Matthew brought immense joy to the world, both through his acting and his friendships. You all held a special place in his heart, and we are deeply grateful for the overwhelming display of affection.”

Supporters, peers, producers, and fellow celebrities offered their heartfelt tributes to the departed actor.

May Matthew Perry rest in peace.