Disclaimer: This article includes mention of death.
The life and tragic death of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. star Matthew Perry will be unfurled in a new documentary. Helmed and executive-producer Robert Palumbo stated, “Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy” will debut on Peacock Tuesday, February 25.
Palumbo told The NY Post that “the impact of his death is fresh,” therefore it’s not too early for a documentary like this.
At the age of 54, Perry passed away at his Pacific Palisades, California, home on October 28, 2023. The documentary does not, however, feature interviews with Perry’s co-stars from F.R.I.E.N.D.S., David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, and Matt LeBlanc.
Palumbo has since explained their absence, saying that it makes sense that they were reluctant to participate in a Matthew documentary at this particular moment. “Understandably, they were reluctant to go on a documentary about Matthew at this point. Maybe many years down the line … We understand their decision not to appear,” he stated in conversation with The Post.
The documentary explores Perry’s battle with addiction and substance abuse in great detail. Morgan Fairchild, who portrayed Chandler’s mother on F.R.I.E.N.D.S., is being interviewed.
Fairchild reiterated Palumbo’s statement that Perry wished to be recognized for his work helping people who are addicted.
“I think he will have a legacy of helping other people. And Morgan [Fairchild] thought that was really the most important thing to communicate,” Palumbo added.
The program also covers the five arrests made during Perry’s death inquiry. A few of them, such as Dr. Salvador Plasencia and Jasveen Sangha, popularly referred to as the “Ketamine Queen,” are still awaiting trial. They both pleaded not guilty to the charge, and US District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett set a date for their joint trial: March 4, 2025.
Palumbo, who called the case a glimpse into the “underbelly of Hollywood,” was surprised by several elements of it.
