Beloved “Friends” star Matthew Perry tragically passed away on October 28 at the age of 54. His untimely death occurred as he drowned in a hot tub at his home in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles, according to law enforcement sources. Perry's passing came just days after he concluded his press tour for his 2022 memoir, "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing," making the interviews conducted during this time a poignant archive of the actor's final words.

In his memoir, Perry delved into his rise to fame as well as his long-standing battle with addiction. The book, released on November 1, 2022, provided fans with a glimpse into the actor's personal struggles, including several near-death experiences. Perry opened up about the difficulties he faced in acquiring a sense of reality, stating that it took a significant amount of time to find sobriety and strength. He shared that his journey to sobriety was motivated by a desire to help others facing similar challenges.

Perry's battles with addiction were a recurring theme in his final interviews. During an appearance on "Real Time with Bill Maher" in November of the previous year, Perry clarified that while he never intentionally tried to end his life through drug use, he was aware of the potentially fatal consequences of his actions. He explained that although he never wanted to die, he had done so many drugs at certain times that he knew they had the potential to kill him.

The actor's struggle with addiction took a grave turn in 2018 when he underwent emergency surgery due to his colon bursting, a rare complication often associated with opioid abuse. Perry revealed that his addiction had caused severe constipation, highlighting the irony of his situation. Doctors gave him only a 2% chance of survival, and he spent five months in the hospital, including two weeks in a coma. Perry also required a colostomy bag for nine months following the surgery. Throughout his life, he underwent a total of 14 stomach surgeries, serving as constant reminders of the importance of sobriety.

Despite his setbacks, Perry remained determined to overcome his addiction. He emphasized the importance of learning from relapses and understanding that losing one's sobriety does not negate the progress made. In a 2022 interview with The New York Times, Perry revealed that he had been sober since early 2021. A close friend who saw him shortly before his passing confirmed that he was "100% sober."

Perry's dedication to helping others facing addiction and sobriety challenges was a central theme in his final interviews. He expressed his desire to be remembered as someone who lived well, loved well, and was committed to assisting others. In 2013, he established Perry House, a men's sober living facility in Malibu, California, where he provided support and guidance to recovering addicts. Perry had plans to create a foundation to further aid those battling addiction before his untimely death.

The news of Perry's passing devastated his “Friends” co-stars, who described themselves as a family. They issued a joint statement expressing their profound grief and need for time to process the loss. Friends and colleagues, including actor Hank Azaria, mourned Perry's death and remembered him as a caring and giving individual who had helped them on their own sobriety journeys. Azaria, who had been sober for 17 years, credited Perry with helping him stay on the path to recovery.

Perry's passing serves as a tragic reminder of the challenges faced by those battling addiction. He leaves behind a legacy of perseverance, compassion, and a commitment to helping others. As fans mourn the loss of a beloved actor, they are reminded to seek support and understanding for their own struggles, knowing that they are not alone.