Tragically, the actor passed away on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54, following what appeared to be a drowning. Read on to learn about his surviving relatives.
Many of Matthew Perry’s loved ones were startled and devastated by his death at the age of 54. This included his parents, Suzanne Langford and John Bennett Perry, as well as his stepmother Debbie Boyle and stepfather Keith Morrison. Per TMZ, the actor’s body was discovered in the jacuzzi of his house in the Los Angeles, CA region, following what appears to have been an apparent drowning. The gifted Friends actor only left behind his parents and stepfather; he had no children of his own when he passed away.
He and Matthew’s dad, John, have a history of collaboration in the film industry. Keith, his stepfather, is a well-known journalist who has also enjoyed some fame. Upon their gloomy arrival at Matthew’s home, John, Suzanne, and Keith were captured on film and photographed soon after word of his death spread. This is where you may learn more about his folks.
Perry, John Bennett, Jr.
John, who is 82 years old and Matthew’s dad, was also an accomplished performer. Beginning in the 1970s, he rose to fame in 1985 and 1986 on Falcon Crest, when he played the part of Sheriff Floyd Gilmore. A number of other series and films featured his acting, including 240-Robert, Paper Dolls, Little House on the Prairie, Jag, Family Law, and Providence. In addition to appearing in an episode of Matthew’s hit sitcom Friends in 1998, John collaborated with Matthew in 1997 when he played the father of his character in the film Fools Rush In.
In the ’70s and ’80s, John was a fixture in Old Spice commercials alongside his acting career. He was also a singer and model. In 1968, John wed Suzanne, who was Matthew’s mom, and they were married for two years. In 1969, a year after they exchanged vows, Matthew was born. In 1981, following John’s divorce from Suzanne, he wed Debbie, who later became stepmother Matthew. Mia Perry, Matthew’s half-sister, was welcomed into their family in 1986.
Langford, Suzanne
A former model and journalist, Suzanne is Matthew’s mother. Pierre Trudeau’s press secretary was someone else she worked for. Suzanne wed Keith in 1981 after her marriage to John ended in divorce. Caitlin Morrison was born in 1981, Emily in 1985, Willy in 1986, and Madeleine in 1989—the four children they had together.
Debbie Boyle was
When Debbie wed Matthew’s dad, John, in 1981, she became stepmother to Matthew. According to IMDB, she appears to have worked as a television writer, though little else is known about her. Among her many 2000s Barney special credits are 2011’s A Very Merry Christmas: The Movie and 2013’s Barney: Let’s Go to the Moon.
Morrison, Keith
After Keith, now 76 years old, wed Matthew’s mother, Suzanne, in 1981, he became stepfather to Matthew. His true crime reporting for Dateline NBC is one of his most famous pieces of journalism. He has maintained a fruitful career on the show since he began working there in 1995. He is a Canadian native and a veteran news reporter for several networks, including NBC Nightly News and the Today Show.
Keith had a son, Michael Morrison, during his first marriage, which ended in divorce. He then wed Suzanne. Michael was born in 1974. He took in Matthew as his stepson after marrying Suzanne, and they had four more children. Keith has been very forthcoming about his role as stepdad to a Friends cast member and has heaped accolades on him multiple times throughout the years.
Even when he was a little boy, he was always the life of the party. He’s just one of those individuals. I used to drop him off at his Saturday hockey games while he was on the squad. Mathew and the hockey team were like that. Every single goal was scored by him. In an interview with PEOPLE, he supposedly said, “He was the guy” while discussing the gifted actor. “And the tennis court is no different. His intensity and skill on the tennis court were unparalleled. He’s a character who is intense, talented, and focused. I think he’s brilliant. Throughout his childhood, that remained true.