Matthew Perry was surprisingly spotted at Bondi just weeks after finishing Friends as he was reportedly struggling with addiction.
The “Friends” star, known for his iconic role as Chandler Bing on the NBC series, died in an apparent drowning accident at his home in Los Angeles on Saturday.
The 54-year-old was found lifeless in a whirlpool by an assistant.
Mr. Perry made no secret of the fact that he had long struggled with substance abuse problems, opening up about a decades-long addiction to drugs and alcohol in his 2022 memoir.
Matthew Perry was spotted at Bondi Icebergs in 2004 during a whirlwind trip to Sydney
The actor was reportedly struggling with addiction when he came to Australia in 2004 to star in a romantic comedy that never materialized
Perry is pictured with actor David Schwimmer (left) during the Friends reunion
The actor was reportedly struggling with addiction when he took a whirlwind trip to Australia in 2004 to audition for a film.
Mr Perry was spotted meeting director Chris Noonan at Bondi Icebergs, just weeks after the final episode of Friends was filmed.
The Australian director of the Oscar-nominated Babe film said Perry was “desperate” to land a role in a romantic comedy that never came to fruition.
“He wants to be a film actor and has been in a few films, but nothing special.” “He really wants a good film role,” Mr Noonan said at the time.
“He’s a great guy.” “He read this script and just had to come and commit to it.”
According to the reports, Mr Perry spent most of his time in Bondi.
He was spotted out on the town having dinner with friends before picking up CDs from Guy Sebastian and Shannon Noll and heading home just days later.
The popular sitcom “Friends” made its stars household names
According to the reports, Mr Perry spent most of his time in Bondi during his stay in Australia
However, rumors circulated at home that he was caught up in his addiction and turned to drinking and smoking marijuana.
“I have so much money and great cars and beautiful girlfriends, but it didn’t make me happy,” he is said to have said at the time.
“I used to go to the convenience store to get coffee and the gas station attendant seemed happier than me.”
“I thought to myself, ‘How can this guy be happier? Doesn’t he know how big my house is?”
“The next thing you know I had a margarita in my hand and wanted to buy some drugs.”
Mr Perry is not believed to have returned to Australia before his sudden death almost 20 years later.
Tributes have been pouring in for the popular actor, with Maggie Wheeler, who played his character’s hated girlfriend Janice, posting a tribute on Instagram.
We are devastated to learn of the death of Matthew Perry. He was a true gift to all of us. Our condolences go out to his family, his loved ones and all his fans. pic.twitter.com/Xv6HkpSEBl
– FRIENDS (@FriendsTV) October 29, 2023
In “The Whole Nine Yards” – Matthew Perry runs full force into a patio door – that and the scene that followed is one of the best comedic moments I’ve ever seen.
I told him when I reappeared on The Odd Couple. He smiled so wide I thought he was going to break his face
It was wonderful
— Lisa Ann Walter (@LisaAnnWalter) October 29, 2023
‘What a loss. “The world will miss you, Matthew Perry,” she wrote.
“The joy you brought to so many in your too-short life will live on.” “I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared.”
Selma Blair also paid tribute to her “oldest friend.”
“We all loved Matthew Perry, and I especially loved him.” Daily. I loved him unconditionally. And he me. And I’m broken. Heartbroken. Sweet dreams, Matty. Sweet dreams,” she wrote.
Stars of Mr. Perry’s most recent work, who played Oscar Madison in “The Odd Couple,” also shared their tributes.
“Our #OddCouple family suffered a great loss today.” The entire entertainment world has. “I’m too saddened by the news to say anything more than this,” Yvette Nicole Brown tweeted.
While Matthew Perry traveled to Australia “desperate” to become a movie star after the final episode of Friends, his drug problem spiraled out of control as rumors spread