Oh noes! I thought Matthew Perry had already conquered his addictions, but it looks like he hasn’t. Late Thursday, Perry announced (through a statement which his rep released to all media agencies) that he was making plans “to go away for a month” to focus on his sobriety. Back in 1990s, Perry had a big problem with… Vicodin, if I remember correctly. His prescription pill-and-alcohol issues forced him into rehab in 1997, and then again in 2001 (which I have no memory of…?). So, it sounds like he’s got issues again:
Matthew Perry is acting as his own best friend. The Mr. Sunshine star, who has battled substance abuse in years past, says he’s taking a month off from showbiz to stay on top of his always-in-progress recovery.
So, where’s he going to go?Perry’s not going to just tell us that, of course, but he has confirmed that he’ll be out of commission for awhile.
“I’m making plans to go away for a month to focus on my sobriety and to continue my life in recovery,” he said in a statement passed on by his rep. “Please enjoy making fun of me on the World Wide Web.”
Aw, there’s no need for anyone to do that, old chum.
Perry made at least two trips to rehab while shooting Friends, in 1997 and again in 2001, to combat prescription-pill addiction and alcohol abuse. During that time, his weight noticeably fluctuated and he suffered from pancreatitis in 2000, brought on by the damage inflicted on his insides by drinking and drugging.
We wish him a happy month off and hope he continues on the healthy track.
[From E! News]
Meh, I don’t really feel like making fun of him, mostly because he’s not some belligerent, raging-lunatic, crackheaded nuisance always on the hustle. He’s a talented guy – I always thought that Perry and Lisa Kudrow were the most talented actors on Friends, and although I don’t watch Mr. Sunshine, I liked the idea of Perry and Alison Janney doing a comedy together. I do wonder about this though – I wonder if this was Perry’s decision, all on his own, or if this is a pre-emptive strike against some soon-to-be-released information that is especially horrible. Like, maybe he’s The Herpe Blind Item? He’s probably worth about $100 million from Friends residuals and stuff. Oh, God.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
I love this guy and wish him all the best.
I don’t see Matthew as the herpes blind. He never had that kind of reputation. I think he just has an adiction problem. I’m pretty sure Mr. Sunshine was cancelled. I watch ABC and never see promotion for hit. He keeps getting good series tha the critics love but never good ratings. I’m sure he finds it annoying that his good shows are cancelled but Jersey Shore is huge.
Would anyone have known he was going had he not told the press?
i wont make fun of him but he aged terribly…he’s only 41!!!
this is what alcohol and drugs does to u ppl
Omg, don’t say it! Don’t even think it!!! It’s NOT MP!
((is it?))
What a shame, as unlike Linmate, Matt Perry has a lot of talent and seems like a decent guy. I hope this rehab is something he’s doing to be sure he continues to walk the line, not because he’s crossed it again.
I love him and applaud his proactive step in maintaining sobriety — but I applaud his media savvy way more. I have to say, this is one of the best celebrity press releases I’ve ever read. He nips the gossip in the bud before it even starts, and garners humor and good-will at the same time. He sure knows how to play the game.
(And oh God I really don’t think that BI was him. He’s been with Lizzie Caplan for awhile, and I’d like to think she’s worth more than that.)
I adore him. And I agree, Kaiser, that he and Lisa Kudrow were awesome to watch – they both played such weird, quirky characters. Remember how no one knew what “Chandler” did at work? TOO FUNNY!
If I recall correctly, he had a car accident (or something) that “ignited” his addiction to Vicodin. It’s not really that hard to get addicted to Vicodin, but it’s a bitch to “get off”.
(And that would be why people in the “Addiction” field of work are trying to make the Vicodin-makers stop.)
AND HE IS ABSOLUTELY NOT THE HERPES BLIND ITEM. END OF DISCUSSION. PERIOD. FULL STOP.
I hope he gets well soon, I adore him so much.
I loved him in “Fools Rush In” with Salma Hayek!!!
He is really talented.
I don’t think he’s the herpes blind for several reasons. I have always had a little crush on Matthew he’s definitely my favorite male ‘Friend’ I wish him the best. I also really love Fools Rush In.
I remember the same thing, bellaluna, he had some kind of accident and was prescribed them for a legitimate reason, but then it spiraled.
I love him too, he’s funny and has been great on every show he’s done, and I really wish him the best.
Mr. Sunshine is OK, but Alison Janney is awesome on it.
Good luck to him. And he has such great hair.
Lulu I agree, both he and salma were great in fools rush in. One of the few romcoms I have ever enjoyed. I wish him the best. He does look rough for his age, and drugs could be the reason. No need to make fun of a good man dealing with a normal but difficult issue!
when you give the ok for heckling you almost don’t deserve it. it’s cosmic.
I loved Fools Rush In too.
I think Perry and Cudrow got the best lines in Friends. All the cast were/are talented comedy actors, I don’t think you can single one or two out because it was the chemistry between the six and a great script that made Friends so successful.
Well done on his part. I admire him for taking care of himself and understanding that his addiction is his achilles heel.
How terribly grown-up of him!
I adore him, too. Best of luck to him.
Awww, Matty. Go get better, buddy.
Chandler Bing was my favorite friend, and I wish him all the best.
I never have an issue with people because they have a problem. I may have an issue with how they handle it. What a mature, graceful way to deal with his addiction! I’m sorry he hasn’t been able to stay sober, but I’m glad to see he’s the adult he’s always seemed to be.
Did anyone else think that Chandler should actually have wound up with Phoebe? They always seemed like they “got” each other and had a true friendship, and Perry and Kudrow had chemistry.
At least he knows when to go away and is trying to recover.
@Kaiser — i love me some Matthew Perry too, he IS talented. but i am surprised you are not more skeptical about the initial addiction claims being to “Vicodin” years back. i am guessing it was never a “Vicodin” issue, rather this is some scandal-neutral addiction his PR team came up with. my hunch that it was originally something other than Vicodin is reinforced by Perry going back to rehab all these years later again. who is THAT hooked on “Vicodin” ?!
He has a nice smile.
Get well Matthew – take care of yourself man. We luv ya.
I love that he gives everyone the freedom to make fun of him! What good is it to go through life’s trials if you can’t laugh about it? I hope the month off is good to him. Drug and alcohol addiction is something that most addicts battle for the duration of their lives. It’s awesome that he has no qualms admitting it and getting the help he needs. Lohan needs to take a leaf from his book. It’s like she doesn’t understand that she’s on the brink of something horrific.
he’s my favorite guy and lisa was my favorite female on friends, i wish matthew nothing but the best, he is a very talented guy.
Let Matthew P. replace charlie sheen !