‘The One About Matthew Perry’: 7 Revelations From the Netflix Docuseries

Netflix's "The One About Matthew Perry" is a three-part docuseries that delves into the personal and professional life of the beloved "Friends" star, as well as his struggle with addiction that ultimately led to his death in 2023. The series features interviews with Perry's sister, Maria "Mia" Perry Bowick, friends Roger Castillo, David Pressman, and Kevin Pollak, along with colleagues, exes, and others close to him. Here are seven key revelations from the documentary:

1. Perry's family treated the "Friends" wedding like a real wedding. When Chandler and Monica got married in the Season 7 finale of "Friends," Perry was balancing rehab and filming. His sister Mia recalled the significance of the event, saying, "It was a really big deal because we're all worried about him, we don't know what's going to happen in the future." The emotional connection between Perry, Cox, and their respective partners was palpable.

2. Perry spent $7 million trying to get sober. In the second episode of the docuseries, Bowick revealed that Perry spent about $7 million over his lifetime trying to overcome his addiction through various rehabilitation programs. This staggering amount underscores the gravity of his struggle and the desperate measures he took to achieve sobriety.

3. The "Friends" reunion was a low point after his near-death experience. Just a few years after Perry's near-death experience in 2018, where his colon ruptured, leading to a two-week coma and a five-month hospital stay, he participated in the "Friends" reunion for HBO Max's 25th anniversary special. While Bowick recalls Perry being focused on sobriety and the importance of the event, others noted his diminished state and difficulty in performing.

4. Perry regretted moving on from romantic partners too quickly. Following his near-death experience, Perry reached out in 2020 to an ex-girlfriend named Rome and resumed their friendship. However, he had a history of moving on from relationships quickly and later regretting it. Castillo noted that Perry's tendency to move on fast and then regret it contributed to his struggles.

5. The rest of the "Friends" cast mourned Perry's passing at his funeral. After Perry's death, the rest of the "Friends" cast gathered at the funeral to pay their respects. Bowick described it as a small, intimate gathering, including only close friends and family. Jennifer Aniston was the first to hug Perry's family, followed by the entire cast holding hands and crying around his casket.

6. Kenneth Iwamasa's involvement in Perry's death came as a shock to the family. Five defendants were charged in Perry's death, including "Ketamine Queen" Jasveen Sangha, Dr. Mark Chavez, Salvador Plasencia, and Erik Fleming. However, Perry's live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, was the most shocking revelation. Bowick and her mother were stunned by the fact that Iwamasa either obtained or administered the ketamine to Perry, expressing a profound sense of betrayal.