Friends actor Matthew Perry's death is under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) more than six months after he was found unresponsive at his residence in October 2023.
According to the authorities, the actor's death was attributed to acute ketamine effects.
Perry died on October 28, 2023, at 54 years old. When authorities arrived at his Los Angeles home at 4 p.m., they found him unconscious in his hot tub.
Although first responders were called for cardiac arrest, the toxicology report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office later revealed the actor died from "the acute effects of ketamine."
Investigators are now trying to decipher where Perry got the ketamine and how so much of it got into his system, Variety reported.
Perry had been undergoing ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety before his overdose. The toxicology report continued: "At the high levels of ketamine found in his postmortem blood specimens, the main lethal effects would be from both cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression."
Perry's demise left everyone in shock, especially his Friends family.
Recently, Courteney Cox revealed that she still feels the presence of the late Friends co-star.
Appearing on CBS Sunday Morning, Cox who starred as Monica Geller alongside Perry's Chandler Bing for 10 seasons on the hit sitcom, opened up about her bond with Perry, New York Post reported.
"I think he's probably one of the funniest human beings in the world. He's just so funny," Cox, 59, said. “He is genuinely a huge heart. Obviously struggled." I'm so thankful I got to work so closely with him for so many years. He visits me a lot, if we believe in that," she added.
Cox was then asked to elaborate on her spirituality, revealing that the late actor "guides" her. "I talk to my mom, my dad, Matthew. I feel like there are a lot of people that, I think, guide us. I do sense -- I sense Matthew's around for sure," she shared.
Perry was Friends droll wingman-turned-leading man 'Chandler Bing' for 10 years, delivering a pitch-perfect comedic performance that garnered him an Emmy nomination in 2002.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.