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New Netflix Doc Reveals Matthew Perry's Struggle Before the 2021 'Friends' Reunion

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A new Netflix documentary,“The One About Matthew Perry,”is giving fans a closer look at the late actor’s health and sobriety battles, especially in the months before the 2021“Friends”reunion special. His friend Kevin Pollak says watching Perry in that special is tough, because he was“just not himself”and under a lot of pressure. His sister, Mia Perry Bowick, says Perry had barely been in public since 2018, when his colon burst from opioid overuse. That ordeal left him in a coma for two weeks, in the hospital for five months, and using a colostomy bag for nine months.

According to his sister, Perry was“very nervous”about the reunion and wanted to show the world he was fine, though she says that was only“half-true.”Fans voiced concern after the special aired, and the documentary adds new context to those moments. Perry died at 54 on Oct. 28, 2023, from the acute effects of ketamine and drowning. The film features family members, friends, and former“Friends”writer and producer Jeff Strauss.

The documentary is streaming now on Netflix and is starting bigger conversations about addiction, recovery, and the cost of celebrity pressure. It’s a hard watch, but many say it’s an important one. Will you be watching“The One About Matthew Perry,”or is it too heavy for you right now?

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Local Lawton

Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.

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