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Matthew Perry, the troubled star of the hit TV sitcom “Friends,” has tragically passed away at the age of 54. The actor was found unconscious in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home and despite the efforts of first responders, they were unable to revive him.

The Los Angeles Times reported that law enforcement sources confirmed Perry’s death, although the Los Angeles Police Department did not release the deceased’s name. A spokesperson for the department stated that they responded to a “death investigation for a male in his 50s” at 4:10 pm.

While it is unclear if Perry drowned in the hot tub, the fire department did confirm that they responded to a “water emergency” at his residence. Perry gained worldwide fame for his role as Chandler Bing on the immensely popular show “Friends,” which aired from 1994 to 2004. The sitcom followed the lives of six friends as they navigated through adulthood in New York City.

Despite his success on the show, Perry fought a long and public battle with addiction. He struggled with addiction to painkillers and alcohol and sought help in rehabilitation clinics on multiple occasions. In 2018, Perry faced health problems due to his drug usage, including a burst colon that required multiple surgeries and the use of a colostomy bag.

In his memoir, titled “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing,” which was published last year, Perry opened up about his struggles with addiction and shared his journey to sobriety. He dedicated the book to all those who have faced similar challenges, stating, “I should be dead.” Despite his setbacks, Perry claimed to have been mostly sober since 2001.

According to TMZ, no drugs were found at the scene where Perry was discovered. Both TMZ and the Los Angeles Times reported that there were no signs of foul play. The news of Perry’s death spread quickly, and condolences poured in from the Hollywood community on social media.

Warner Bros. TV, the studio that produced “Friends,” expressed their grief over Perry’s passing and called him a true gift. Perry was born in Massachusetts and split his childhood between Montreal and Los Angeles. He was a talented tennis player in his youth before eventually pursuing acting.

Perry’s character, Chandler Bing, was beloved by fans for his sarcasm, quick wit, and occasional awkwardness. Alongside his co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer, Perry negotiated a salary of $1 million per episode by the end of the show’s run.

The show’s popularity remained evident when the cast reportedly earned $2.5 million each for a reunion episode in 2021. During the episode, fans expressed concern over Perry’s slurred speech, and he later revealed that he had experienced severe anxiety during the filming of the sitcom.

In addition to “Friends,” Perry appeared in movies such as “Fools Rush In” and “The Whole Nine Yards.” He received five Emmy nominations but never won the prestigious award. Perry never married throughout his life.