Matthew Perry's tragic death in October 2023 at age 54 has been explored in a new Peacock documentary titled Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy.
The documentary reveals that in his final days, Perry was administered 27 ketamine shots, with his death attributed to the acute effects of ketamine, followed by accidental drowning. The revelation comes from US Attorney Martin Estrada, who oversaw the investigation into Perry's death. Estrada highlighted the involvement of several individuals, including two doctors, Perry’s live-in assistant, and a drug dealer, in administering the dangerous doses of ketamine.
The documentary, directed by Robert Palumbo, sheds light on Perry's struggles with addiction and his candidness about his battles with substance abuse. It also emphasizes the role of those around him who allegedly enabled his addiction, with Estrada noting that one of the individuals, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, viewed the situation as an opportunity for financial gain. The documentary details the five arrests made during the investigation, including charges against Plasencia and Jasveen Sangha, the "Ketamine Queen," both of whom face trial in 2025.
Perry’s live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to the distribution of ketamine causing death. The documentary recounts Perry's final moments, including his requests for multiple doses of ketamine and his tragic discovery in the hot tub by Iwamasa.
Though the documentary reveals intimate details of Perry's final days, it does not include interviews with his Friends co-stars—David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, and Matt LeBlanc—who, according to reports, are still grieving the loss of their close friend. Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy started streaming on Peacock on February 25, 2025.
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