A candid revelation from a longtime friend
In a recent interview with Deadline, Hollywood actor George Clooney shared heartfelt insights into the late Matthew Perry’s battle with happiness and drug addiction. Clooney, who knew Perry since the latter was just 16 years old, shed light on the internal struggles the beloved “Friends” star faced despite achieving great success.
A childhood dream fulfilled, but still not enough
Clooney recounted how Perry had always dreamed of starring in a sitcom, passionately expressing his desire to be on a regular show. Perry’s dream came true when he landed the role of Chandler Bing on the iconic series “Friends.” But according to Clooney, Perry’s satisfaction was not complete.
“He wasn’t happy. It didn’t bring him joy or happiness or peace,” Clooney revealed. The two actors often crossed paths on the Warner Brothers lot, where “ER” and “Friends” were being filmed side by side. Clooney expressed concern for his friend, not fully understanding the turmoil Perry was going through.
The dark side of success
Perry’s struggle with drugs became public knowledge when he openly admitted to using them as a means of coping with his sorrows. Clooney spoke about the heartbreaking reality he witnessed as Perry battled a daily addiction to Vicodin.
“We just knew that he wasn’t happy,” Clooney said. “And I had no idea he was doing what, 12 Vicodin a day and all the stuff he talked about, all that heartbreaking stuff.” Perry’s troubled relationship with drugs began in 1997 after a jet ski accident, when he was prescribed Vicodin for pain relief.
Looking beyond fame and fortune
Clooney emphasized the important lesson he learned from Perry’s story – that success, fame, and wealth do not guarantee happiness. “It also just tells you that success and money and all those things, it doesn’t just automatically bring you happiness. You have to be happy with yourself and your life,” Clooney shared.
A tragic loss and a startling revelation
On October 28, Matthew Perry tragically passed away from an apparent drowning in his home’s hot tub in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner later confirmed that Perry’s cause of death was due to the “acute effects of ketamine.”
Perry had spoken openly about his battle with drug addiction, including his daily use of ketamine, in his memoir “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.” The news of his struggles shocked fans around the world.
A heartfelt tribute from the “Friends” cast
Shortly after Perry’s untimely death, the cast of “Friends” released a statement honoring their late co-star. They expressed their devastation and offered their thoughts and love to Perry’s family and friends.
“There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss,” the statement read. “Our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”