More than two years after his tragic passing, the final resting place of beloved actor Matthew Perry has finally been marked with a commemorative plaque that includes a poignant nod to his most famous role.
A Private Resting Place Now Publicly Honoured
The star of the seminal sitcom Friends was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles following his death in October 2023. To protect the family's privacy, a common practice for celebrity burials, the gravesite was initially left unmarked. However, a new, shiny bronze plaque has now been installed on Perry's mausoleum.
The plaque bears the inscription "Matthew Langford Perry" along with his birth and death dates, August 19, 1969 - October 28, 2023. The final line offers a simple yet powerful epitaph: "Much loved — Friend —", an apparent tribute to the iconic television series that made him a global star and aired from 1994 to 2004.
While the exact installation date remains unknown, multiple reports indicate the plaque was added sometime in the last month. As recently as late November 2025, the site was still unmarked according to Entertainment Weekly.
A Site of Constant Pilgrimage
Despite the lack of a marker, Perry's grave in the Hollywood Hills section of the cemetery has never been short of visitors. Fans have consistently found the quiet location, adorning it with flowers and memorabilia in a steady stream of tribute.
Forest Lawn Memorial Park is the chosen burial ground for numerous entertainment legends, including Michael Jackson, Walt Disney, Carrie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds, and Paul Walker.
The Legal Aftermath of a Tragic Death
Matthew Perry was 54 years old when he was found dead in his hot tub. An autopsy concluded his death was caused by the "acute effects" of ketamine. Drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid addiction, were listed as contributing factors.
A subsequent seven-month federal investigation led to charges against five people connected to supplying the actor with drugs.
Last month, Dr. Salvador Plasencia was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison. Prosecutors stated he repeatedly sold vials of ketamine to Perry, despite knowing the actor's well-documented history of drug addiction and that Perry's personal assistant was administering the drug without medical training.
In the same month, a second doctor, Mark Chavez, pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute ketamine to Perry and was sentenced to eight months of home detention.
Three other individuals are currently awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty for their roles. They are Perry's personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa; a woman referred to as the "Ketamine Queen," Jasveen Sangha, who sold the drugs; and Erik Fleming, who distributed them.
Court documents revealed Perry had used ketamine under medical supervision for depression treatment. However, it is alleged he turned to illicit dealers after his doctors refused to prescribe him further doses.
