Sadly, we learn this morning that ‘Friends’ actor, Mr Matthew Perry, who found fame playing the character Chandler Bing, has died in a suspected accidental drowning in a jacuzzi at his home. Mr Bing was aged just 54 years old.
His death comes after he recently published his memoir, informing his fans of how he had overcome drink and drug addictions, which had almost brought about his death.
Mr Perry was discovered dead at his mansion on Saturday morning last, October 28th; his body discovered by his assistant. It is understood that no foul play was involved.
In all Mr Perry spent 10 seasons playing ‘Chandler’ on ‘Friends’, while struggling with a string of addictions. His memoir ‘Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing: A Candid, Darkly Funny Book’ exposed his struggles with addictions that became so severe that 5 years ago, at the age of 49 years, he suffered a gastrointestinal perforation, as a result of his extreme opiate usage. Same issue gave him then just a 2% chance of living after being placed in a coma for some weeks, following which he had to use a colostomy bag, while his colon healed.
At the peak of his addictions he was consuming about 55 Vicodin (Trade Name) tablets a day and weighed just 128 pounds. This combination medication is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. It contains an opioid pain reliever hydrocodone and a non-opioid pain reliever acetaminophen. Same is an antitussive (cough suppressant) and narcotic analgesic agent for the treatment of moderate to moderately severe pain. Hydrocodone works in the brain to change how your body feels and responds to pain and since 2009, has been the second most frequently encountered opioid.
Mr Perry had stated “When I’m carrying weight, it’s alcohol; when I’m skinny, it’s pills; when I have a goatee, it’s a lot of pills.”
“Thank you for the years of laughter. In ár gcroíthe go deo”.
Vocals: Performed by American actresses and singers, Ms Kristin Chenoweth and MsIdina Menzel from the Musical “WICKED“. [Book by Winnie Holzman].
Lyrics: American musical composer and theatre lyricist, MrStephen Lawrence Schwartz.
For Good
I’ve heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, Bringing something we must learn, And we are led to those who help us most to grow, if we let them, And we help them in return. Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true, But I know I’m who I am today because I knew you. Like a comet pulled from orbit, as it passes the sun. Like a stream that meets a boulder, halfway through the wood. Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better, But because I knew you, I have been changed for good. It well may be that we will never meet again, in this lifetime, So, let me say before we part, So much of me is made of what I learned from you. You’ll be with me, Like a handprint on my heart and now whatever way our stories end, I know you have rewritten mine, by being my friend. Like a ship blown from its mooring, by a wind off the sea. Like a seed dropped by a sky bird in a distant wood. Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better, But because I knew you, because I knew you, I have been changed for good. And just to clear the air, I ask forgiveness for the things I’ve done, you blame me for, But then I guess, we know there’s blame to share, And none of it seems to matter any more. Like a comet pulled from orbit (like a ship blown from its mooring) As it passes the sun (by a wind off the sea) Like a stream that meets a boulder (like a seed dropped by a bird), Halfway through the wood (in the wood), Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better. I do believe I have been changed for the better and because I knew you. Because I knew you. Because I knew you. I have been changed for good.
The Mid-West Region’s premier live entertainment and cultural venue, University Concert Hall (UCH) celebrates its 30th anniversary on Friday evening next, September 29th, with a performance by one of Ireland’s most prestigious orchestras.
University Concert Hall, Limerick.
Conducted by Joshua Gersen, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra will be accompanied by world-renowned pianist John O’Conor, who was one of the first musicians to perform at UCH.
UCH became the first purpose-built concert hall in Ireland when it was officially opened on the University of Limerick campus in September 1993 by Taoiseach Albert Reynolds T.D. and U.S. Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith.
The 1,038-seat auditorium has since attracted performances from some of the biggest names in entertainment including Johnny Cash and June Carter, James Taylor, Billy Connolly, Leslie Garrett, Van Morrison, The King’s Singers, Albert Hammond, Jimmy Carr, Sir James Galway, Christy Moore and the late Sinead O’Connor.
Ms Judith Woodworth, Chairperson of the UCH Board, said this Friday’s concert is a milestone moment in the venue’s history.
She continued, “We are immensely proud of our role in adding breadth and depth to the cultural life of the Mid-West, and our ongoing work to reflect and promote the longstanding artistic ethos of the University of Limerick by offering a wide range of cultural events and experiences.”
UCH Director Ms Sinead Hope said, “Attracting some of the world’s leading singer songwriters, standup comedians, pantomimes and classical performers to the Mid-West has had a hugely positive impact on the Region’s arts and entertainment sector, as well as the local economy.”
“I was born with a priceless gift, the ability to laugh at the misfortunes of others.” “Australia is an outdoor country. People only go inside to use the toilet, and that’s a recent development.”, Above quotes from the great stand-up and now late comedian, John Barry Humphries (1934-2023).
Television viewers here in Co. Tipperary and indeed far beyond, will be greatly saddened by the news of the death of Australian comedian, actor, author and satirist, Mr John Barry Humphries[Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) & Order of Australia (AO)], who passed away today, aged 89 years.
Mr Humphries was best known for writing and playing his on-stage and television alter egos of Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson.
Although best known to his audiences for his delivery of deliberate irrationality and absurdist humour, Mr Humphries was also a film producer; script writer; a star of London’s West End musical theatre; a writer and a landscape painter.
His alter egos of the lilac-rinsed haired Dame Edna Everage evolved over a forty year period, latter to become a satire of stardom; while his portrayal of an inebriated, boorish, loud-mouthed, uncouth and uncultured, ‘cultural attaché to the Far East’, in the character of Sir Les Patterson, over the past 30 years became a regular feature in his solo theatrical appearances, both in Australia and the United Kingdom.
Having entertained on stage and screen for over 70 years, we understand that Mr Humphries tripped on a rug, while reaching for a book, back in February, latter resulting in him requiring surgery at St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. He had been readmitted to hospital just this week, yet despite his accident, he had fully expected to be back and fighting fit within weeks, but sadly he never recovered.
His passing means the loss of one of our all-time great stand-up comedians.
Sadly, we wake up to news of the death, yesterday, of the well-known and much loved comedian, television and radio presenter, actor, drag queen and writer Mr Paul O’Grady, MBE DL. [Order British Empire – Deputy Lieutenant]. Mr O’Grady achieved notability in the London gay scene in the 1980s and 1990s, with his drag queen persona “Lily Savage”.
Mr O’Grady dropped the latter character in the 2000s, to become the presenter of various television and radio shows, including the much loved ‘The Paul O’Grady Show’.
Born to a working-class Irish migrant family, [Father Paddy Grady Co. Roscommon & mother Molly Savage latter with strong Co. Louth connections], in Tranmere, Cheshire, Mr O’Grady moved to London in the late 1970s, initially working as a travelling care officer for Camden Council. He developed his drag act in the late 1970s, basing his character “Lily Savage” upon traits found amongst female relatives.
Touring England, Mr O’Grady became a popular stand-up comedian in the early 1980s and for the next eight years performed at a South London gay pub, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern (RVT), where he gained a popular following among London’s gay community, and used his character to speak out for gay rights.
Having being nominated for a ‘Perrier Award’(now known as Dave’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards), in 1992, Mr O’Grady attracted mainstream attention, making numerous television, radio, and theatrical appearances.
Later as “Lily Savage”, he presented the television shows The Big Breakfast (1995–1996), Blankety Blank (1997–2002), and Lily Live! (2000–2001), earning various awards and becoming a well-known public figure.
Additional television shows included Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs, Paul O’Grady’s Animal Orphans and Paul O’Grady’s Great British Escape (2020). He published several books, including a four-volume memoir.
Mr O’Grady was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2008 – Birthday Honours list for his services to entertainment. In 2020, he became president of the British Music Hall Society.
Sadly yesterday, March 28th, 2023, Mr O’Grady passed away “unexpectedly but peacefully” aged 67 years. His death was confirmed by his husband, Mr André Portasio.
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