Matthew Perry started acting while he was still at high school. Take a look at his illustrious career in photos.

Sebastian CahillJan 14, 2024, 01:13 IST

Charles Sykes/NBCU/Getty Images

Matthew Perry is dead at 54 after drowning in his hot tub, multiple outlets reported.
Perry rose to stardom in the 1990s as a cast member on the sitcom "Friends."

Actor Matthew Perry has died at 54 after drowning in his hot tub at his Los Angeles apartment, multiple outlets have reported.

He was best known for playing Chandler Bing on "Friends," and also had many other comedic roles on TV, stage, and film.

Last year Perry wrote a memoir, "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing," that topped the New York Times and Amazon bestsellers' lists.

Born in 1969, Perry first pursued acting at 15. By the time he graduated high school in 1988, he'd won the role of Chazz Russell on the TV series "Second Chance."

Johnny Depp and Matthew Perry at the Limelight in New York City about 1988.Michael Ochs Archives

He was a regular cast member on "Sydney" from 1990, playing Valerie Bertinelli's younger brother.

Valerie Bertinelli and Matthew Perry on the set of "Sydney" circa 1990.Jim Smeal

In the early 1990s he acted in TV shows including "Beverly Hills, 90210," "Home Free," and "Sibs."

Roxanne Zahl and Matthew Perry at the premiere of "Crash Action" in 1991.Ron Galella

He hit the big time with the role of Chandler Bing in "Friends" and at 24 was the youngest of the six main cast members.

Matthew Perry at a Homeless 4 Hockey Charity event.Ron Davis

During the 10 years of "Friends" he became addicted to opiods after a jet-skiing accident. He got an Emmy nomination in 2002 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, but lost to Ray Romano for Everybody Loves Raymond.

The "Friends" cast in episode 115, "The One With the Stoned Guy."NBC

During the 10 years of "Friends" he became addicted to opiods after a jet-skiing accident. He got an Emmy nomination in 2002 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, but lost to Ray Romano for Everybody Loves Raymond.

By the time "Friends" ended in 2004, Perry was a household name and an international celebrity.

Matthew Perry and Courteney Cox on season seven of "Friends."Danny Feld/NBCU

Perry starred in and was executive producer of "Numb" in 2008. The same year, he appeared in "Sexual Perversity in Chicago" in London.

Harris Goldberg, Matthew Perry and Ricki Lake at the premiere of "Numb."Jemal Countess

In 2009, he acted alongside Zac Efron in "17 Again," which was a box office hit.

Matthew Perry and Sue Kroll of Warner Bros. at the premiere of "17 Again."Kevin Winter

In 2011, Perry supported funding for drug courts, which aim to help people recover from substance abuse disorders, as a celebrity spokesperson.

Matthew Perry at Dodger Stadium in 2012.Mark Sullivan

He was given the Champion of Recovery award from the Office of National Drug Control Policy in 2013 for opening a sober living home in his Malibu residence.

Matthew Perry backstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards.Gabriel Olsen

Perry played the lead role in his play "The End of Longing," which premiered in London and then went Off-Broadway in 2017, but had poor reviews.

Chris Moyles, Jennifer Mudge, Matthew Perry, Christina Cole and Lloyd Owen in "The End Of Longing."David M. Benett

In 2018, he was hospitalized for gastrointestinal perforation, and then almost died when his colon burst from opioid abuse. He spent five months in hospital recovering.

Matthew Perry at a Pittsburgh Penguins Vs. New York Rangers game at Madison Square Garden.GED/NHL

In 2021, he reunited with his "Friends" costars for "Friends: The Reunion."

Friends cast reunites during The Late Late Show with James Corden.CBS Photo Archive

He published his memoir, "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing," last year.

Matthew Perry at the 2023 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.David Livingston

In the last months of his life, Perry bought a $5 million home in the Hollywood Hills and attended events such as the French Open.

Matthew Perry attends the 2023 French Open at Roland Garros.Stephane Cardinale - Corbis

5 of the best and 5 of the worst changes from the 'Outlander' books to the television series

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Matthew Perry started acting while he was still at high school. Take a look at his illustrious career in photos.

Born in 1969, Perry first pursued acting at 15. By the time he graduated high school in 1988, he'd won the role of Chazz Russell on the TV series "Second Chance."

He was a regular cast member on "Sydney" from 1990, playing Valerie Bertinelli's younger brother.

In the early 1990s he acted in TV shows including "Beverly Hills, 90210," "Home Free," and "Sibs."

He hit the big time with the role of Chandler Bing in "Friends" and at 24 was the youngest of the six main cast members.

During the 10 years of "Friends" he became addicted to opiods after a jet-skiing accident. He got an Emmy nomination in 2002 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, but lost to Ray Romano for Everybody Loves Raymond.

By the time "Friends" ended in 2004, Perry was a household name and an international celebrity.

Perry starred in and was executive producer of "Numb" in 2008. The same year, he appeared in "Sexual Perversity in Chicago" in London.

In 2009, he acted alongside Zac Efron in "17 Again," which was a box office hit.

In 2011, Perry supported funding for drug courts, which aim to help people recover from substance abuse disorders, as a celebrity spokesperson.

He was given the Champion of Recovery award from the Office of National Drug Control Policy in 2013 for opening a sober living home in his Malibu residence.

Perry played the lead role in his play "The End of Longing," which premiered in London and then went Off-Broadway in 2017, but had poor reviews.

In 2018, he was hospitalized for gastrointestinal perforation, and then almost died when his colon burst from opioid abuse. He spent five months in hospital recovering.

In 2021, he reunited with his "Friends" costars for "Friends: The Reunion."

He published his memoir, "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing," last year.

In the last months of his life, Perry bought a $5 million home in the Hollywood Hills and attended events such as the French Open.