Charlie Sheen revealed that he recorded a conversation with Matthew Perry about a year prior to the actor’s tragic overdose.
In an interview with Piers Morgan, Sheen mentioned he “could see” signs of Perry’s struggles with substance abuse while discussing Perry’s 2022 memoir.
“He wasn’t exactly talking about all the books on recovery and drinking,” the 60-year-old Emmy nominee indicated, noting that Morgan is known for being unfiltered.
Sheen expressed feeling sadness for Perry after hearing excerpts from the audiobook “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Bad Things.” He recalled that Perry often delivered comedic lines with a bit of an offbeat style. “I remember the Golden Globe winner,” he said, reflecting on Perry’s unique delivery.
Sheen admitted, “I didn’t know Matthew all that well,” but he did appreciate his talent. He described Perry as someone who dealt with significant struggles.
Perry, who was just 54, passed away from a ketamine overdose in a hot tub at a home in Los Angeles. His memoir was released in November 2022, and he was found dead the following October.
Interestingly, just weeks before his death, Sheen had read a line from Perry’s book that mentioned, “F-k Charlie Sheen. I’ll become famous one day.”
Sheen claimed that listeners could detect Perry discussing his challenges in the audiobook. He pointed out that Perry’s comedic finesse didn’t always translate to perfect clarity in communication.
Sheen mentioned wanting to reach out to Perry after reading the memoir but failed to do so before his death. “I read it in a day and loved it,” Sheen shared. “I felt the confinement he put himself through.”
This past month, Sheen commented on shared struggles, noting a “common foundation” with Perry that brought them together on some deeper level.
Sheen regretted not reaching out sooner, saying he wished they could have shared a coffee. Unfortunately, Perry died too soon.
In the interview, Sheen clarified that he never used the drug that led to Perry’s death, stating, “I’d seen people use it, but I never thought it was something I would want.”
He shared that Perry had attended support groups Sheen had led on several occasions and expressed a sense of kinship when they both met Sheen’s third wife, Brooke Mueller.
Mueller, who had connections to the individuals involved in the sale of ketamine, is facing inquiry regarding Perry’s death. As of September 2024, she has reportedly remained calm for nine months.
If you or someone you care about is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, please call Samhsa’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
