Comedian and former Saturday Night Live (SNL) writer Kevin Brennan has come under fire for mocking former Friends star Matthew Perry’s passing on Saturday night.
Perry, 54, was found dead in his California home on Saturday by first responders who arrived on a possible cardiac arrest call. The former Friends star was found unresponsive in his hot tub.
Brennan, who also hosts the Misery Loves Company podcast, mocked Perry’s death in a Saturday X post.
“DROWNED IN A HOT TUB,” Brennan wrote with an accompanying TMZ article on Perry’s passing. “HAHAHAHA.”
DROWNED IN A HOT TUB. HAHAHAHA
Friends' Star Matthew Perry Dead at 54 After Apparent Drowning https://t.co/fSA7d7hZ2f
— The MLC Podcast (@mlcpodcast) October 29, 2023
X users criticized Brennan’s post and asked why he believed Perry’s death was funny.
“Because it’s not very deep,” Brennan replied.
Because it’s not very deep. https://t.co/cPnFaNLSOW
— The MLC Podcast (@mlcpodcast) October 30, 2023
On Sunday, the comedian followed up on criticism for his post.
“Am I trending yet?” Brennan asked.
Am I trending yet?
— The MLC Podcast (@mlcpodcast) October 30, 2023
In another post, Brennan said he wasn’t mocking Perry’s death.
“I just thought it was funny. But I do love it when junkies die,” Brennan said in a post that was later deleted by X for violating the platform’s terms of service.
TMZ released an article on Brennan’s post about Perry on Sunday.
Comedian and podcast host Alex Stein quoted TMZ’s article and referred to Brennan as his “mentor” and a “menace to society.”
“That’s also why Kevin is the funniest man on earth,” Stein added.
My mentor @mlcpodcast is a menace to society & that’s also why Kevin is the funniest man on earth https://t.co/b1s2OjwgiZ
— Alex Stein #99 (@alexstein99) October 30, 2023
Perry starred as Chandler Bing on Friends from 1994 until 2004.
Last year, Perry released a memoir titled Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, which discussed the actor’s struggle with drugs and alcohol, along with a near-death experience.
Perry said he spent over $9 million on rehab and other programs to combat his addictions and find sobriety. Perry had reportedly been sober since May 2021.
As of Monday afternoon, no cause of death has been reported for Perry.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother,” Perry’s family told TMZ in a statement. “Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend. You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.”
Fellow Friends co-stars David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, and Lisa Kudrow are reportedly preparing a joint statement, according to Page Six.
“The cast is reeling from the loss of their brother, because that’s what Matty was — their brother,” an industry source told the outlet Sunday. “The entire cast are close, they will be devastated, because they were together through the best of times and worst of times.”
