Friends creator Marta Kauffman has spoken about paying tribute to much-loved actor Matthew Perry.
The actor was found dead at his Los Angeles home on 28 October, 2023, with an autopsy report later revealing that Perry had passed away due to the acute effects of ketamine and drowning. He was 54-years-old.
Perry's death is currently back in the news as an investigation into how he acquired the drug is ongoing.
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It was confirmed by US authorities last Thursday that five individuals have been charged in connection to the actor's death.
Friends creator Kauffman has spoken out about her recollections of Perry - who was best known for playing Chandler Bing on the long-running sitcom - and how people can honour his memory.
Speaking in an interview with The Times, she said: "Two things come to mind: one of them is to donate to drug treatment centres — let’s fight the disease."
Kauffman's comments follow the decision from Perry's family to establish a foundation in the actor's name, which focuses on providing help and support to those struggling with drug addiction.
The 67-year-old then went on to add that she hopes fans won't think of how Perry died, but instead focus on the joy and laughter he brought through his career as an actor.
"And the second way is to watch Friends and remember him not as a man who died like that, but as a man who was hilariously funny and brought joy to everybody," she said.
Kauffman previously spoke about her final interaction with Perry last year, during a TV appearance in the wake of his death.
"It was great. He was happy and chipper. He didn’t seem weighed down by anything. He was in a really good place, which is why this seems so unfair," she told the Today show.
A joint criminal investigation from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regarding Perry's death was confirmed back in May.
On 15 August, it was confirmed that 'at least one person' had been arrested in connection with the actor's death.
Attorney Martin Estrada later revealed that charges against five individuals had come after an investigation into a 'broad underground criminal network responsible for distributing large quantities of ketamine to Mr Perry and others'.
He added: "This network included a live-in assistant, various go-betweens, two medical doctors and a major source of drug supply known as ‘the ketamine queen'.
“These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perry's addiction issues to enrich themselves. They knew what they were doing was wrong. They knew what they were doing was risking great danger to Mr. Perry.
"But they did it anyways. In the end, these defendants were more interested in profiting off Mr. Perry than caring for his well being."
The five individuals who have been charged are:
- Jasveen Sangha, known 'The Ketamine Queen,' Sangha has been accused of selling Perry the dose of ketamine that killed him.
- Dr Salvador Plasencia, a licensed medical doctor who allegedly distributed approximately 20 vials of ketamine to Perry.
- Dr Mark Chavez, another licensed medical doctor who helped obtain the ketamine.
- Erik Fleming, a 'broker' and acquaintance of Perry's who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death.
- Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry's live-in assistant who worked with Sangha and Chavez to obtain the ketamine and who administered it to him, despite not having medical training to do so.
Chavez, Iwasama, and Fleming have all plead guilty to the charges brought against them, while Sangha and Plasencia have pleaded not guilty to charges brought against them.
Topics: Matthew Perry, US News, Crime
Brenna Cooper