TV star Matthew Perry passed away Oct. 28, 2023 at age 54. According to latimes.com, he was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his L.A home by an assistant. The cause of death is still unknown as of now. Police are retracing Perry’s steps that day, but ultimately determined that the answer will “most likely” come from a team of physicians and investigators working out of the L.A. County coroner’s office.

  Government teacher Mrs. Jessica Siegel says, “he was in a bunch of things like comedies, but Friends was his real breakout role for people to know who he was.” 

     Parent educator Mrs. Shari Bowers says, “I remember him being on a show called Growing Pains; that’s when I really first knew who he was back in the ‘80s.”

     Perry’s passing has affected many people. Siegel says, “it’s just very surreal for me because Matthew Perry is not that much older than I am, so that’s a very surreal feeling when people your age start to pass away.” 

     She continues, “the best thing is that he made addiction something to talk about, and it’s a real struggle. It’s not something you can kind of just get over; it’s something people learn to live with and deal with every day.”

     Bowers adds, “I think he was a good guy because he was trying to help other people, too, and he opened a sober living called the Perry House. I think just deep down, he was a good guy trying to help people.”

    In interviews, Perry said he wanted to be known for much more than just being on the TV show Friends. In his book, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir, he wrote, “When I die, I know people will talk about Friends, Friends, Friends. And I am glad of that, [but] as far as my so-called accomplishments go, it would be nice if friends were listed far behind the things I did to try to help other people.” 

      As a former addict himself, Perry said he felt strongly about providing resources for people like him. He also opened a sober living house called The Perry House.  He said, “I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in my life. I’m still working through it personally, but the best thing about me is that if an alcoholic or drug addict comes up to me and says ‘Will you help me?’  I will always say, ‘Yes, I know how to do that. I will do that for you, even if I can’t always do it for myself.’  So I do that, whenever I can.”