Matthew Perry had prescription drugs for depression at home when he died

29 October 2023 , 15:27

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The late Matthew Perry is best known for his role on Friends (Image: Getty Images)

Prescription drugs are said to have been found at the home of Matthew Perry, with it having been reported that no "illegal drugs" were found by first responders at the property.

It was reported overnight that the actor - best known for his role on the sitcom Friends - had died, aged 54, after being found unresponsive at his home in California. It's been reported that there was initially a call to emergency services over a possible cardiac arrest, though it's been suggested that Matthew drowned - with him said to have been found dead in a hot tub at the property.

Matthew Perry passed away over the weekend (Getty Images)

TMZ reports that first responders who attended the home on Saturday did not find illegal drugs, but the outlet added that sources have said prescription drugs were found. Authorities are said to have found anti-depressants, anti-anxiety drugs and a COPD drug at the residence.

The outlet reports that the drug related to COPD - which is an acronym for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - is often used for people who have emphysema or chronic bronchitis. It noted that Matthew has been a long-term smoker.

According to the outlet, the L.A. County Coroner will conduct a toxicology exam to determine if any drugs were in the late actor's system, though that could reportedly take months. It's previously been suggested that there were no drugs at the scene nor did it seem that there was any foul play involved.

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Matthew is best known for having played Chandler Bing on Friends. The NBC show aired from 1994 to 2004, running for ten seasons over that period. He starred on the beloved show alongside the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer.

The late actor is best known for his role on Friends (Getty Images for GQ)

Following his stint on the show, and prior to his death, Matthew had been open about his struggles with substance abuse. This included him discussing taking opioids in his memoir, which was released last year. His time on Friends is said to have been impacted by drug and alcohol addiction.

He reportedly completed a 28-day detox programme in 1997 and is said to have later entered rehab in 2001 for addiction to Vicodin, methadone, amphetamines, and alcohol.

Recalling opioid abuse in an interview, Matthew said that he once spent weeks in a coma as a result and that his colon burst following a relapse. His family were said to have been told that he only had a two percent chance of survival at the time.

Joel Leaver