More than two years after his tragic passing, the gravesite of beloved actor Matthew Perry has finally been marked with a permanent plaque that includes a poignant nod to his iconic role on Friends.
A Private Resting Place Now Publicly Honoured
The Friends star, who died at age 54 on 28 October 2023, was laid to rest at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles. In a move designed to protect his family's privacy, a common practice for high-profile figures, the site within the celebrity-filled cemetery was initially left unmarked.
However, a new shiny bronze plaque has now been installed on Perry's mausoleum. It bears the inscription "Matthew Langford Perry" along with his birth and death dates, 19 August 1969 - 28 October 2023. The final line offers a simple yet powerful epitaph: "Much loved — Friend —", an apparent and touching reference to the seminal sitcom that made him a global star from 1994 to 2004.
While the exact installation date is not confirmed, multiple reports indicate the plaque was added sometime in December 2025, as the site was reportedly still unmarked as recently as 25 November 2025.
A Site of Constant Pilgrimage for Fans
Despite the lack of a marker, Perry's final resting place has never been difficult for devoted fans to find. The quiet section of the cemetery has been consistently adorned with flowers and memorabilia since his burial. Forest Lawn is also the burial ground for numerous other stars, including Michael Jackson, Walt Disney, and Carrie Fisher.
The actor was found dead in his hot tub, with an autopsy later concluding the primary cause was the "acute effects" of ketamine. Contributing factors included drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid addiction.
Legal Repercussions Continue
Following a seven-month investigation, five individuals were federally charged in connection with Perry's death. The legal proceedings have seen significant developments in recent months.
In December 2025, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who was accused of repeatedly selling ketamine to Perry despite knowing his history of addiction and that the actor's assistant was administering it without medical supervision, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison.
That same month, a second doctor, Mark Chavez, pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute ketamine to Perry and received a sentence of eight months of home detention. Three others—Perry's former personal assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, drug seller Jasveen "Ketamine Queen" Sangha, and distributor Erik Fleming—are currently awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty for their roles.
Prosecutors stated that Perry had initially used ketamine under medical supervision to treat depression but turned to illicit sources when his doctors refused to prescribe further doses.
The new plaque offers a permanent point for reflection and remembrance for a actor whose life and career were cut short, ensuring his legacy as a 'Friend' is forever etched in stone.
