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Matthew Perry Opens Up About Having To Drop Out Of Major Film After His Heart Stopped For Five Minutes
Among the star studded cast brought on for Adam McKay's political satire Don't Look Up, one didn't make it to the final cut. Actor Matthew Perry was initially slated to make an appearance in the movie, but was later forced to pull out after a shocking health scare.
Perry's role was expected to be a Conservative journalist who shared several scenes conducting interviews with actor Meryl Streep's character. Unfortunately, he was left no choice but to leave the movie after his heart stopped during a surgical procedure gone wrong.
The actor details this experience in his upcoming memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing which will come out on November 1.
See a sneak peek below:
\u201cHere\u2019s a sneak peek at my memoir and the audiobook for #FriendsLoversBook. Read (or hear) more about my time on Friends, battling addiction, and much more when the book hits shelves next week. https://t.co/u6VkDLtQOg\u201d— matthew perry (@matthew perry) 1666637167
In the memoir, Perry elaborates during the filming for Don't Look Up he checked into a Swiss luxury rehab clinic.
While there, Perry enjoyed amenities like his own private butler and an overlook of Lake Geneva. However, things eventually went sour when his drug cravings started to kick in.
The actor admits he began to mislead his physicians into thinking he was experiencing crippling pain.
"In fact I was okay. It still felt like I was doing a constant sit up so it was very uncomfortable, but it wasn't pain."
Doctors began prescribing Perry hydrocodone in the hopes it would reduce his suffering. However, when that didn't work the medical staff opted to try a surgical intervention instead.
Leading to his operation, Perry claims he stayed up all night taking hydrocodone. The following morning he was administered Propofol—an anesthetic agent that places patients under sedation.
With the hydrocodone still in his system the addition of Propofol effectively stopped his heart.
"I was given the shot at 11 a.m. I woke up 11 hours later in a different hospital. Apparently, the Propofol had stopped my heart. For five minutes. It wasn't a heart attack—I didn't flatline—but nothing had been beating."
Doctors rushed to Perry's assistance with one dedicated surgeon who gave him chest compressions for five minutes straight.
"I was told some beefy Swiss guy really didn't want the guy from Friends dying on his table and did CPR on me for the full five minutes, beating and pounding my chest."
"If I hadn't been on Friends would he have stopped at three minutes? Did Friends save my life again?"
"He may have saved my life, but he broke eight of my ribs."
Social media shared support for the star.
\u201c@MatthewPerry awwww I wanna give you a big hug I'm you biggest fan I absolutely love you, what you have gone through and accomplished with addiction is just remarkable. I had a apoid addiction from patches at one point it was a miserable https://t.co/eEoNIm1kHU much love Matty \u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\u201d— matthew perry (@matthew perry) 1666637167
\u201c@MatthewPerry @Flatironbooks @FriendsTV I am really looking forward to your book. I\u2019ve admired your courage for a long time - I don\u2019t care if you\u2019re famous and rich or not - getting back up when you\u2019re knocked down isn\u2019t easy.\n\nThanks for being brave enough to inspire the rest of us with your truth.\u201d— matthew perry (@matthew perry) 1666637167
\u201c@MatthewPerry @Flatironbooks @FriendsTV You have my love and support. From what I've read I'm so thankful you're still with us! Already pre-ordered the book. Much love @MatthewPerry\u201d— matthew perry (@matthew perry) 1666637167
\u201c@MatthewPerry @Flatironbooks @FriendsTV I have loved you since you were first introduced on Friends and have followed you since. Matthew you are an amazing man and I am so looking forward to hearing you tell your story. Thanks for being an inspiration\u201d— matthew perry (@matthew perry) 1666637167
\u201c@MatthewPerry @Flatironbooks @FriendsTV Ahh man. I can\u2019t wait to read this. I know it\u2019s gonna hurt. But at least you are able to afford the help. Always been proud of my fellow countryman \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6\u270c\ufe0f\u270a\u270a. Keep well man. Ring me if you need a chat ! \ud83d\ude0a\u201d— matthew perry (@matthew perry) 1666637167
\u201c@MatthewPerry @Flatironbooks @FriendsTV I love you and support you 100% in your sobriety and discussing your struggles with addiction. I wish I could be there to hug you and tell you everything will be OK, but, after writing your book, I can only imagine how cathartic that process was for you. I know you will be okay.\u201d— matthew perry (@matthew perry) 1666637167
\u201c@MatthewPerry @Flatironbooks @FriendsTV I have found that when I took alcohol and drugs off my menu, it opened me up for so many other options. I am hoping that happens for you. Wishing you all the best.\ud83d\udc97\u201d— matthew perry (@matthew perry) 1666637167
\u201c@MatthewPerry @Flatironbooks @FriendsTV I think it\u2019s gonna be a hard read but I am really looking forward to this book \u2764\ufe0f One of biggest idols and still can\u2019t believe I had the pleasure of meeting you twice when we came to see End of Longing.....sharing your story is brave and inspirational \u2764\ufe0f\u201d— matthew perry (@matthew perry) 1666637167
\u201c@MatthewPerry @Flatironbooks @FriendsTV Matty... Im so sorry you had to go through any of this. We loved you so much and I wish we could have helped. \u2764\ufe0f\u201d— matthew perry (@matthew perry) 1666637167
\u201c@MatthewPerry @Flatironbooks @FriendsTV Congratulations, Matthew!! I\u2019m looking forward to getting a copy. I also wrote a memoir about my addiction and recovery, and found the writing of it very healing. I can finally live in the moment and hope you can too! \ud83d\udc96\u201d— matthew perry (@matthew perry) 1666637167
Luckily, Perry has since gotten the help he needs and is 18 months sober.
He now looks to rebound from his addiction after spending a total of nine million dollars on his sobriety.
If you or someone you know suffers from addiction, help is available. Contact the American Addiction Centers hotline at 888-744-0069.