Matthew Perry, known for his role in Friends, had a strong affinity for Batman. Sadly, he passed away unexpectedly at the age of 54. His connection to the caped crusader persisted until the end of his life, as his final social media posts referenced the superhero and he humorously referred to himself as “Mattman.”
Perry’s love for Batman began in his childhood. In his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, published in 2022, Perry shared his struggles with alcohol and drug addiction and how he used Batman to connect with his actor father. Perry reminisced about their walks together, pretending to be superheroes. His parents, John Bennett Perry and Suzanne Morrison, split when he was young, leading to a divided upbringing between Canada and Los Angeles.
Perry’s fandom grew from Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, starring Christian Bale: Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), and The Dark Knight Rises (2012). These films became his all-time favorites. When Robert Pattinson’s The Batman was released in 2022, it joined Perry’s list of beloved Batman movies.
The idea of Batman rising again resonated with Perry on his journey to overcome addiction. In his book, he revealed that he started drinking alcohol daily at the age of 18 and developed an opioid addiction after a Jet Ski accident in 1997. Perry estimated spending $9 million on addiction treatments throughout his life, including numerous stints in rehab and detoxes. Despite experiencing a life-threatening colon rupture in 2019 due to his opioid abuse, Perry defied the odds and found strength in his darkest moments. He wrote in his book, “I am Batman,” suggesting that he not only survived but found hope in his ordeal. The final chapter of his book was titled “Batman,” with his last words emphasizing the importance of thinking, “What would Batman do?” during challenging times.
In a GQ interview, Perry elaborated on the meaning behind his “I am Batman” statement. He compared himself to the Dark Knight, pointing out their shared characteristics of being wealthy loners and driving cool black cars. While he didn’t solve crimes, Perry believed he had saved people’s lives through his advocacy for other addicts. Prior to writing his book, Perry sponsored countless individuals in their recovery journeys, offering guidance and support. He even briefly operated a sober-living facility for men called Perry House. At the time of his death, Perry was in the process of establishing a foundation to aid those struggling with addiction.
Hank Azaria, one of Perry’s close friends, shared on Instagram that Perry helped him get sober 17 years ago, taking him to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Perry dedicated a significant portion of his life to attending AA meetings, estimating a total of 6,000 meetings throughout his lifetime.
While Perry’s connection to Batman included saving lives and helping others, he also considered himself a superfan. Around 2012 or 2013, he created his first Batman-themed room in his home. During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2016, Perry admitted to being an insomniac, often using eBay in the middle of the night to purchase Batman memorabilia. He described his Batman room as “cool” rather than “dorky.” In 2017, Perry purchased a 10,000-square-foot condo in Century City for $20 million. He designed the space to resemble Bruce Wayne’s penthouse from The Dark Knight. Perry referred to it as his “Batcave.”
In his book, however, Perry acknowledged that the penthouse became a dark place that hindered his sobriety. He stated that he engaged in drug use and excessive television-watching while there. Recognizing his mistake, Perry sold the penthouse to Rihanna, complete with Batman-themed interiors. Perry downsized to a home in Pacific Palisades, which he renovated to include a dedicated Batman room called “the Matt cave.” He shared his plans for the room, which featured a pool table, TV, black couch, and shelves of Batman memorabilia. Inside the Matt cave, Perry intended to watch Batman movies and play Batman video games.
Although Perry was not active on social media for extended periods, he posted a series of videos from his new home a week before his death. The clips showcased his Batman-themed room, including multiple screens displaying The Batman and a bat symbol on the ceiling. Perry’s home also featured a Batman pumpkin and a sign indicating his newfound interest in pickleball, a sport he played shortly before his passing.
In his final two social media posts, Perry playfully referenced himself as “Mattman.” According to a source, Perry was “incredibly happy” in the days leading up to his death, enjoying his new home and engaging with the Mattman concept for a potential series. He had recently signed on to act in a drama film called Unworthy, which was temporarily on hold due to a strike.
Following Perry’s death, many social media tributes honored his love for Batman. His former assistant, Briana Brancato, wrote a heartfelt message that concluded with a reference to Perry sending signs from beyond. The magazine editor Wendy Naugle confirmed that Perry was working on a script involving the character “Mattman.”
Matthew Perry’s unwavering love for Batman influenced his personal life, his struggles, and his passion for helping others. His devotion to the fictional superhero brought joy to his own life and brought hope to those battling addiction alongside him. Perry will always be remembered as a true Batman fan, now resting in the heart of his supporters.
