Two lifelong friends of Matthew Perry, brothers Brian and Chris Murray, open up about the final year of the "Friends" star's life before his death in October 2023. Despite his struggles, Perry displayed a renewed vigor and zest for life, leaving those close to him encouraged and hopeful for his future. In an exclusive interview with TODAY's Savannah Guthrie, the Murray brothers share their memories of Perry and the promising signs they witnessed before his tragic passing.
Background:
Matthew Perry, best known for his iconic role as Chandler Bing on the hit sitcom "Friends," passed away in October 2023 at the age of 57. The news of his death shocked the entertainment world and left many of his fans grieving.
Recent Developments:
In an exclusive interview with TODAY's Savannah Guthrie, two of Perry's lifelong friends, brothers Brian and Chris Murray, have shared their memories of the actor in the final year of his life. Despite his past struggles with addiction and mental health issues, Perry reportedly displayed a renewed sense of optimism and purpose in the months leading up to his death.
According to the Murray brothers, Perry had entered a sober living facility in March 2023 and was making significant progress in his recovery. He was sober and had a strong support system around him.
Encouraging Signs:
The Murray brothers also mentioned that Perry had expressed a desire to return to acting and was actively working on a screenplay. He was reportedly excited about the future and had a positive outlook on life.
"He had a really great zest for life," Brian Murray said. "He was very happy to be alive and very grateful for everything that he had."
"He was really trying to make amends," Chris Murray added. "He was trying to apologize to people he had wronged in the past."
Top 5 FAQs:
1. What was the cause of Matthew Perry's death? The cause of Perry's death has not been officially released. However, it is believed that he died as a result of his ongoing health issues, including pancreatitis and gastrointestinal perforation.
2. Was Matthew Perry sober at the time of his death? According to his friends, Perry was sober and had been in recovery for several months prior to his passing.
3. Was Matthew Perry planning a return to acting? Yes, Perry was reportedly working on a screenplay and had expressed a desire to return to acting in the future.
4. What were the promising signs witnessed by friends and family in Perry's final year? Perry displayed a renewed sense of vigor, zest for life, and optimism. He was actively working on his recovery and had a strong support system around him.
5. What legacy will Matthew Perry leave behind? Matthew Perry will be remembered for his iconic role as Chandler Bing in "Friends," as well as his openness about his struggles with addiction and mental health. His death serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking help and finding solace in the support of loved ones.
In recent transfer news, Arsenal has acquired Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia to strengthen their central defense alongside Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba. They have also struck a deal with Sporting for striker Viktor Gyokeres, with the transfer expected to be completed in the next 24 hours. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White has reported for training amid interest from Tottenham, with Forest potentially taking legal action against the approach. In other news, Chelsea has emerged victorious in the Club World Cup, defeating Paris Saint-Germain 3-0, and earning praise from PSG's Joao Pedro who acknowledges the team's impressive performance. Fans can share their views through WhatsApp or text.
The official X account of Elmo, the beloved character from Sesame Street, was hacked and made a series of inappropriate posts. The posts included trolling US President Donald Trump, hateful anti-semitism, and calling for the release of the Epstein files. However, the posts were quickly deleted after the account was restored. This incident adds to the growing concerns over hate speech and anti-semitism on social media platforms.
Lauren Sanchez Bezos, wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, turned heads at Demna’s final Balenciaga show with a standout accessory that sparked plenty of buzz. In hand, she carried Balenciaga’s quirky and ultra-luxurious 9 AM Clutch, a designer piece cleverly crafted to mimic a classic takeaway coffee cup. The clutch, originally introduced in 2022, retails for $5,750 and is a part of Balenciaga’s artistic take on consumer culture and throwaway packaging. Lauren’s custom version with her name emblazoned on the side and her sleek ensemble added to the wow factor at the star-studded event.
The video of Ishaan Khatter dancing to BTS’s hit track ‘Mic Drop’ at the Miss World 2025 finale in Hyderabad has taken the internet by storm. Fans are thrilled to see the Bollywood actor’s energetic dance moves and his unexpected connection to the popular K-pop group. While many praised his performance, some were unimpressed and criticized his choreography. Meanwhile, Ishaan continues to shine in his career, with recent success at the Cannes Film Festival for his film 'Homebound'.
In a candid segment on SBS Maejomgayo, BTS member j-hope shared his bandmates' food preferences and gave insightful commentary on their tastes. His playful label of "baby taste" for Jimin, V, and RM's love for Korean staples stood out to fans, who found it relatable. When appearing on the show, j-hope also joked about his own age, showing his playful and down-to-earth personality.
On Sunday, at the age of 83, veteran Telugu actor Kota Srinivasa Rao passed away at his residence in Filmnagar, Hyderabad after a prolonged illness. With over 750 films to his credit, Rao was a towering presence in Telugu cinema and his unique style and unmatched flair captured the hearts of audiences. Fellow actor Megastar Chiranjeevi paid tribute to him, reflecting on their shared beginnings and highlighting Rao's versatility and irreplaceable presence in the industry.
After being found guilty in a 2001-2006 rape case, self-proclaimed 'godman' Asaram has been sentenced to life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000. This is the second such conviction for the 81-year-old who is already serving a life sentence for a 2013 Rajasthan minor girl rape case. Asaram, who had amassed a Rs 10,000 crore empire with over 400 ashrams, rose to fame as a religious preacher with a large following of politicians and businessmen, but his spiritual quest eventually led him down a path of disgrace.
Veteran Telugu actor Kota Srinivasa Rao, known for his versatility and powerful presence, has passed away at the age of 83. With over 750 films in a career spanning more than four decades, Rao was one of the respected actors in the industry. He was also honoured with India's fourth-highest civilian honour, Padma Shri, for his contribution to Indian cinema. The Telugu film industry is in mourning over the loss of this iconic actor.
The film industry and cinephiles are mourning the loss of Veteran Telugu actor Kota Srinivasa Rao, who passed away in Hyderabad at the age of 83. With a career spanning over five decades and over 750 films across multiple languages, he has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. His colleagues and fans, including Chiranjeevi and SS Rajamouli, have paid heartfelt tributes to the versatile actor.
In a big blow for Indian cricket team, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant will not take the gloves on Day 2 of the Lord's Test after failing to completely recover from a hit he took to his left index finger. Though he continued to play briefly before leaving the field, Pant's injury was clearly visible as he winced in pain while receiving treatment from physios. With Pant's absence, Dhruv Jurel will continue to keep wickets, as confirmed by BCCI, adding pressure for the young player to perform on his debut in an already crucial match. India will hope the injury is not serious and Pant, who was in great form in the first two Tests, will return to the field and strengthen their batting line up.