Matthew Perry's sister has opened up about her brother's final days in a new Netflix documentary, revealing that the Friends star told her he was happy before his sudden death in October 2023.
Mia Perry Bowick features in The One About Matthew Perry, a three-part documentary series released on Netflix, which explores the actor's rise to fame, his lifelong struggle with addiction and the circumstances surrounding his death at the age of 54.
Reflecting on her brother's final weeks, Mia says she takes comfort in knowing that he appeared to be at peace.
“He said he was happy. He felt at peace,” she says in the documentary.
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She also recalls the final Instagram post Matthew shared before his death, which showed him relaxing in a hot tub overlooking the ocean.
“The last Instagram post he put up was a picture of him in a hot tub, looking out over the ocean, saying he was in his favorite place in the world. And that's exactly where he died a few weeks later.”
The series concludes with Mia acknowledging that she continues to feel her brother's presence in her life.
“Yeah. Everybody say, 'Hi, Matty!'” she says in the closing moments of the third and final episode.
The emotional reflection is part of a wider look at the man behind one of television's most beloved comedy characters, drawing on interviews with his family and lifelong friends, alongside previously unreleased photographs and videos from the Perry family's private collection.
The documentary also explores how Perry's personal struggles contrasted with his success on screen, as he became one of the most recognisable comedy stars of his generation.
Perry played Chandler Bing on Friends throughout its ten-season run from 1994 to 2004, starring alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer.
FRIENDS full cast: David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, Matthew Perry, Courtney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Matt Le Blanc. Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency, Shutterstock
The sitcom followed six friends living in New York City and became one of the most successful television comedies of all time. Perry's sarcastic delivery, comic timing and portrayal of Chandler's insecurities made him a fan favourite.
However, behind the humour, the actor was dealing with a long and often painful battle with addiction.
The Netflix series traces the origins of his dependence on painkillers, which he linked to an injury he suffered while filming the 1997 romantic comedy Fools Rush In. Perry described experiencing an intense feeling of euphoria after taking medication prescribed for the injury, which led him to want more.
His struggles continued throughout his years on Friends, with the documentary revealing that he was moving in and out of rehabilitation while filming some of the show's most memorable moments, including Chandler's wedding to Monica.
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His sister also discusses the impact of his addiction on their family, as well as his efforts to help others facing similar struggles.
Perry had spoken publicly about his experiences and became an advocate for people dealing with addiction, hoping to use his own story to help others.
The documentary includes accounts from lifelong friends who describe the support he offered people in recovery, including one friend who credits Perry with helping to save his life by giving him somewhere to live when he was at risk of relapsing.
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Perry's death is also examined in the final episode, which explores the circumstances that led to his passing and the subsequent criminal investigation.
The actor was found unresponsive in the hot tub at his Los Angeles home on October 28, 2023. He was 54.
An autopsy determined that Perry died from the acute effects of ketamine, with drowning listed as a contributing factor. His death was ruled an accident.
Perry had been receiving ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety, but the medical examiner concluded that the levels of the drug found in his body could not be explained by his last supervised treatment, which had taken place around a week and a half earlier.
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The investigation that followed uncovered a network of people involved in supplying him with ketamine. Five people, including two doctors, his live-in personal assistant, a drug dealer and an intermediary, pleaded guilty to federal charges connected to his death.
Jasveen Sangha, who supplied the ketamine that caused the fatal overdose, was sentenced to 15 years in prison in April 2026. Perry's former personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, was sentenced to 41 months in prison in May 2026 for his role in obtaining and administering ketamine to the actor.
The documentary looks at the tragedy while also remembering Perry as a friend, brother and performer whose life extended far beyond his struggles with addiction.
Following his death, his Friends co-stars released a joint statement paying tribute to the actor and the close bond they shared throughout the show's decade-long run.
“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family,” they said.
Jennifer Aniston later shared a personal tribute, writing that saying goodbye to Perry had brought an overwhelming wave of emotions.
“And we loved him deeply,” she wrote.
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David Schwimmer also remembered his co-star's extraordinary comic ability, thanking him for ten years of laughter and creativity.
“I will never forget your impeccable comic timing and delivery,” he wrote, adding that Perry had helped the six actors create a family out of strangers.
Lisa Kudrow thanked Perry for making her laugh and for the memories they shared while working on the sitcom, while Courteney Cox and Matt LeBlanc also posted heartfelt tributes.
The One About Matthew Perry is available to stream on Netflix.
