Matthew Perry was reportedly doing better than ever in his personal and professional life before his tragic death.
Pals of the late “Friends” actor told TMZ Monday that Perry had “never been happier” and was really excited about a new project he was working on.
Perry had committed to playing a role in a new drama movie and was also working on writing scripts for other projects, according to insiders.
They claim the beloved actor, who died at age 54 on Saturday, was feeling optimistic about his future now that he was sober.
On top of that, Perry had moved into a new home just three weeks before his death and was apparently loving the change of scenery.
The “Fools Rush In” star was found unresponsive in his Los Angeles home’s jacuzzi after his assistant called 911 about an apparent cardiac arrest and subsequent drowning.
Prior to his death, the beloved actor spent the morning playing pickleball.
Perry’s pickleball coach, Matt Manasse, told People Sunday that the actor was “doing really well” on and off the court, using the sport to “help with his recovery.”
“He was doing an awesome job,” Manasse told the outlet.
“He loved it. He came out five times a week, would always talk about it. [He] got so much better, always made everyone laugh. He was competitive, just a genuine, good guy — caring for everybody.”
Manasse explained that Perry used pickleball as an “outlet” to maintain his sobriety following his decades-long struggle with drug and alcohol addiction, even introducing other people in similar positions to the game.
“He had so much that he was doing with his rehab facility and trying to get people clean,” he said. “He would bring them to teach them pickleball. He was just always trying to help people.”
While Perry’s autopsy has been completed, his official cause of death has been “deferred” as authorities await further testing, including toxicology.
Although law enforcement sources told TMZ that no illicit drugs were found at the scene, the outlet later reported that there were multiple prescriptions on the premises, including anti-depressants, anti-anxiety drugs and a COPD drug.
Perry has been very outspoken about his battle with addiction over the years, revealing in November 2022 that he wanted to be remembered as someone who “wants to help people.”
“The best thing about me, bar none, is that if an alcoholic or drug addict comes up to me and says, ‘Will you help me?,’ I can say yes and follow up and do it,” Perry shared on the “Q with Tom Power” podcast.
“When I die, I don’t want ‘Friends’ to be the first thing that’s mentioned,” he continued. “I want that [helping people] to be the first thing that’s mentioned, and I’m going to live the rest of my life proving that.”
