Sounds like he was pretty difficult to work with during his heavy drug years.

I don't think that was it. He was perfect for the Chandler role, but that doesn't necessarily translate to being good in other roles.
They pushed hard to make him a film star during and after Friends, but the movies he was in were all turds. And all the shows after Friends were cancelled. However, I thought he was decent in Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.

The Whole Nine Yards was a huge hit, made over $100M. That was it though.

My favorite film of his was Fools Rush In with Selma Hayek. It made a modest $42M.

I have a soft spot for Fools Rush In - I worked at a video store when that came out and it was a fun one to take home and watch.

I wasn't a big fan of Friends. But this sucks regardless of whatever problems he had. RIP.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think of more movie actors that struggled with drugs. So maybe they could hold it together for a movie shoot. TV is different and it seems like you'd need a much more dependable person. SNL actors not included. Maybe the drugs helped fuel the insane atmosphere.

Kind of freaky, the following image showed up in one of my Facebook groups this morning, well before the news. It's from 2004, predicting what the Friends cast would look like in 2024.

That publication had really low expectations on how they'd age. Even with how the drugs have impacted Perry, he still doesn't look as bad as in that picture.
Oddly, Leblanc was wearing a similar shirt in the reunion special.

2024 or 2044?

RIP

And at least half the credit for its success goes to Bruce Willis.

Wow... RIP Chandler.

They were there for him when the rain started to pour, but not when he was drowning in a hot tub. RIP

Sadly, this probably means we'll never get a reunion series or movie. It was pretty unlikely before his passing, but it would seem really odd to do one now with only five out of the six on it. I'd still watch it, but it wouldn't be the same.

Friends did not age well, but it still has some of the most hilarious moments in television history. Watching it now won't ever feel the same. He really was a pretty tortured soul apparently. Lots of demons. RIP, Chanandler Bong.

so sad. he was good. now, 2 have died from the show between Perry and James Michael Tyler (Gunther). just tragic.

I sort of wondered how someone could drown in a hot tub, but it looks like Perry had a damned big hot tub. His final Instagram post:

Yeah, he's not slumming it in some cheap-ass hot tub your neighbor would have. That looks like an infinity pool/hot tub.

The Friends cast made some serious coin from the show. I think each cast member made between 90-100M during the shows run.
Apparently, they're each making about 20M a year in reruns.

Their net worth is pretty impressive, especially since they made some money on other projects as well... especially Aniston.

I think their assuming it was a drowning at this point since he was found in the hot tub. Most likely something else happened which led to him being discovered under the water or floating face down in the water. He could have died of a heart attack and not by being drowned. The substance abuse could have led to heart damage and a heart attack. He also could have simply spent too much time in the hot tub that led to his death, which could kill a very healthy person. It's very easy to lose track of how long you are in there if you are relaxing, and could easily happen to anyone.

So far, none of his Friends castmates have released any public statements. I'm sure they are all still in shock.

I will miss this man's performances. He had a unique talent for humor, and it's too bad he couldn't realize how much he was admired and adored by others. That's what addiction is, I suppose. RIP, Matt.

One of the most notorious drug users in Hollywood, so this is not unexpected. Lived a rough, rough life who couldn't control his personal demons. Easily the funniest member of the Friends cast, he was a big tennis fan who could be frequently spotted at important tournaments.

I had no idea his Step dad is Dateline's Keith Morrison. Now I'm imagining Keith's Bill Hader's Keith voice narrating a totally fictitious take on the scene and the very suspicious hot tub.

I wonder if all six of them discussed long ago how and when they should make public statements in the event that something happens to one of their group and if it should be done in unison rather than them issuing individual statements.