“Tom Selleck Reflects on Matthew Perry’s Legacy After His Passing”

Tom Selleck Remembers Matthew Perry Months After His Passing

Tom Selleck, known for his role as Richard in the beloved sitcom Friends, has shared his reflections on Matthew Perry following the actor’s untimely death last year at the age of 54. Perry was found unresponsive in his hot tub, and an autopsy revealed that the cause of death was the “acute effects of the drug Ketamine.” This substance was part of Perry’s therapy for depression; however, it was noted that the levels found in his system could not have stemmed from his recent treatment, which had occurred over a week prior.

Selleck, who became close with Perry during their time on the show, described him as a “really good friend.” He joined Friends in season two and often checked in with Perry, asking, “How’s your father?” Perry would respond with a smile, and the two would catch up, recalling their mutual connection through Perry’s father, John, whom Selleck knew as a fellow actor during his early career.

Reflecting on the challenge of portraying Chandler, Selleck shared an anecdote about a scene where he had to channel Perry’s iconic sarcasm. He recounted delivering the line, “Could that shot BE any prettier?” which fans of Friends will recognize as a hallmark of Chandler’s humor. Selleck admitted that he sought guidance from Perry to nail the delivery, acknowledging Perry’s unique speech pattern.

Selleck praised Perry’s extraordinary talent, stating, “He was raw talent.” He added, “Matthew’s gone, so it’s easy to say this, but it’s true: I think he was the most talented of a very talented group.”

Perry had openly discussed his battles with addiction, including alcohol and opioids, which began after a jet ski accident in 1997 led to his prescription for Vicodin. He struggled with addiction for many years, revealing in his 2022 memoir that he sometimes took as many as 55 pills a day at his lowest point.

While the autopsy confirmed the presence of Ketamine, it remains unclear whether Perry was abusing substances at the time of his death, as the report indicated that “the exact method of intake of the drug found in his system is unknown.”