The world was shocked by the untimely death of “Friends” star Matthew Perry at the age of 54. The recently obtained death certificate sheds light on the circumstances surrounding his passing, revealing the exact time and key details.
The informant listed on the document is none other than Perry’s stepfather, Keith Morrison, a renowned journalist from “Dateline,” aged 76. According to The Post, the certificate discloses that Perry died at 4:17 p.m. at his California residence. The actor was tragically found submerged in his hot tub by a bystander, as previously reported.
The individual who made the distressing discovery and called 911 remains unidentified, but TMZ disclosed that it was Perry’s assistant. First responders arrived on the scene to find Perry unresponsive.
The death certificate, initially obtained by The Blast, identifies Perry’s occupation as an “actor” in the “entertainment” industry, a career spanning an impressive 38 years. Despite the shocking loss, the official cause of death is pending toxicology reports. However, preliminary tests indicated the absence of meth or fentanyl in Perry’s system at the time of his death.
Dr. Michael Baden, former chief medical examiner of New York City, emphasized the nearing completion of the toxicology report, stating, “They’ve got pretty much 99% of what they’re going to get at this point.” He suggested that the report could be released soon or delayed if investigators are still searching for an unknown substance.
Matthew Perry, known not only for his role in “Friends” but also as the author of “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” was laid to rest on November 3 in a private funeral service. The ceremony, attended by family and close friends, took place in the Forest Lawn cemetery in Hollywood Hills, where Perry was buried across from the iconic location where he filmed the beloved NBC sitcom for a decade.
Notably, his former “Friends” castmates, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, and Matt LeBlanc, gathered to pay their respects. In a joint statement, they expressed their devastation, emphasizing their deep connection as more than just castmates but as a family.
Zac Efron, Perry’s co-star in “17 Again,” shared his grief during the red carpet premiere of his latest film, “The Iron Claw.” Efron revealed Perry’s desire to cast him in a biographical movie, expressing his honor at the prospect. “It would be extraordinary to do,” Efron said, still grappling with the profound loss of his colleague and friend.