Their relationship was a Hollywood fairytale that ended too soon. A year after Matthew Perry’s death, we reflect on his romance with Julia Roberts—and the heartbreaking reason he felt it was destined not to last.
Matthew Perry, the late television star, dated several women in Hollywood, including A-list actress Julia Roberts. Perry tragically passed away at 54 on October 28, 2023. He was reportedly found unresponsive in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home, according to law enforcement sources.
Authorities arrived at Matthew Perry’s residence around 4 p.m. on October 28, 2023, where they found him unresponsive. The investigation later determined that Perry had died from the “acute effects” of ketamine, a drug often used for pain relief and mental health treatment. Nearly a year later, in early October 2024, Dr. Mark Chavez, who operated a ketamine clinic in Los Angeles, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine in connection with Perry’s death.
Prosecutors disclosed that Dr. Mark Chavez had supplied ketamine to another physician, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who then provided it to Matthew Perry. Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, reportedly coordinated the purchase of more than $50,000 worth of ketamine in the weeks before the actor’s death.
Prosecutors disclosed that Dr. Mark Chavez had supplied ketamine to another physician, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who then provided it to Matthew Perry. Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, reportedly coordinated the purchase of more than $50,000 worth of ketamine in the weeks before the actor’s death.
As part of his plea deal, Dr. Chavez has cooperated with prosecutors and is awaiting sentencing, set for April 2, 2025. In the interim, he remains free on bail, having surrendered his passport and medical license.
Julia Roberts’ Reflections on Matthew Perry’s Death
Julia Roberts, who turned 57 on October 28, 2024, shared her thoughts on the “heartbreaking” loss of Matthew Perry in a December 2023 interview with Entertainment Tonight’s Kevin Frazier.
Roberts fondly recalled her time on Friends, expressing “all good thoughts and feelings” about her experience, particularly when she played Susie Moss, a childhood classmate of Matthew Perry’s character, Chandler Bing, in the memorable 1996 episode, “The One After the Super Bowl.”
Roberts remembered her guest appearance on Friends warmly, saying, “They were all so welcoming to me as just a kind of a one-off character, and it was a really fun time.” Reflecting on Perry’s passing, she expressed her sadness, saying, “The sudden passing of anybody so young is heartbreaking. I think that, you know, it just helps all of us appreciate what we have and to keep going in a positive way as best we can.”
Inside Perry and Roberts’ Romance
Matthew Perry and Julia Roberts shared a brief but memorable romance in the early 1990s. Their relationship began when Roberts guest-starred on Friends, where she played Susie Moss. The chemistry between them was palpable, leading to a real-life connection. Despite their high-profile careers, they found joy in each other’s company, often enjoying the fun and spontaneity that Hollywood had to offer.However, their romance was short-lived, primarily due to the pressures of their busy schedules and the challenges that came with dating in the spotlight. Both have spoken fondly of their time together, highlighting the respect and admiration they had for one another.
As they navigated their respective careers, the bond they formed remained a cherished memory, underscoring the bittersweet nature of their romance in the glamorous yet often tumultuous world of Hollywood.
After contemplating how to express his feelings, Perry sent Julia Roberts three dozen red roses with a card that read: “The only thing more exciting than the prospect of you doing the show is that I finally have an excuse to send you flowers.” In response, Roberts agreed to join the show but challenged him to “adequately” explain quantum physics to her. Perry humorously reflected, “Wow. First of all, I’m in an exchange with the woman for whom lipstick was invented.”
Perry took on the challenge and sent Roberts a paper explaining quantum physics. Later, Alexa Junge, a staff writer on Friends, revealed that Roberts had liked Perry “from afar because he’s so charming,” which Perry fondly remembered.
Ultimately, Roberts agreed to join the show, and Perry courted her for three months primarily through fax, as it was before the internet and cell phones became widespread.
Their entire exchange was conducted via fax, where Perry sent her poems, creating a routine of sitting and reading the faxes multiple times, often grinning at the paper. He admitted, “I was grinning like some fifteen-year-old on his first date.” At that time, they had not yet spoken or met in person. Eventually, Roberts sent a fax that “veered romantic,” and they began dating in 1995, with Perry having met her family by then. Their first date took place at his house.
They eventually filmed Julia Roberts’ scenes on Friends, where they shared an on-screen kiss. Perry described the Georgia native in his lines as “the perfect woman,” expressing that she was a wonderful addition to the show.
Perry further praised their on-screen chemistry, noting how well Roberts portrayed his character’s childhood classmate. Reflecting on their time together, he recalled a moment when Roberts asked him how he was doing, to which he replied:
However, during their relationship, Perry was battling addiction, which led to difficult moments and ultimately contributed to his breakup with the Pretty Woman star just two months after filming Friends. He expressed that dating Roberts was “too much” for him, sharing that he had a preconceived notion that she would eventually leave him because he felt he was “not enough” for her.
“Dating Julia Roberts had been too much for me. I had been constantly certain that she was going to break up with me,” Perry reflected. “I was not enough; I could never be enough; I was broken, bent, unlovable. So instead of facing the inevitable agony of losing her, I broke up with the beautiful and brilliant Julia Roberts.”
As we commemorate Matthew Perry on the first anniversary of his passing, his story with Julia Roberts serves as both a celebration of his vibrant life and a glimpse into the love he held privately. Their brief but heartfelt connection highlights the complexities he faced, showcasing his warmth and enduring spirit—a legacy that continues to resonate in the hearts of fans and loved ones alike.