Matthew Perry’s role in the star-studded Netflix movie was derailed by a serious medical emergency

Matthew Perry was supposed to return to the big screen in 2021 after 2009’s “17 Again.” He was scheduled to have a role in Adam McKay’s “Don’t Look Up” alongside the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett and Jennifer Lawrence, but had to withdraw from the film after another serious health problem.

In his memoir “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” he revealed that while in a treatment center in Switzerland, his heart stopped for five minutes, and doctors had no choice but to break his ribs in an attempt to kill him. revive him. , by Rolling Stone. She had no choice but to drop out of the movie, which she said was “the biggest movie she had ever seen”, to focus on recovery. Perry was initially slated to play a Republican journalist in the film, as evidenced in the photos taken of him on set.

Fortunately, Perry finally came out of that dark place. He wrote that he is now well on his journey to recovery, and that prompted him to write the memoir in hopes of helping people. “He wanted to share when he was safe from re-entering the dark side of it all,” he said. People. “I had to wait until I was completely sober, and away from the active disease of alcoholism and addiction, to write it all down.”

If you or someone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA’s national helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).