Belongings that once belonged to the late star of the popular TV series “Friends,” Matthew Perry, have been auctioned off nearly three years after his unfortunate passing due to a ketamine overdose in his Los Angeles residence at the age of 54.
The auction of items from the Hollywood actor’s estate aimed to raise funds for the Matthew Perry Foundation, established posthumously in October 2023 to combat addiction stigma and support individuals in overcoming substance abuse.
Among the auctioned items were two original artworks by the renowned British graffiti artist Banksy, known for maintaining anonymity. These pieces, the iconic “Girl with Balloon” from 2005 depicting a child reaching for a heart-shaped balloon and “Nola,” a 2008 screen print featuring a girl sheltering under an umbrella from rain, collectively fetched nearly £1 million.
After a competitive bidding process, the “Girl with Balloon” sold for an impressive £889,979, while the lesser-known “Nola” was purchased for £88,979. The latter piece was the first Banksy artwork acquired by Matthew Perry, as confirmed by Heritage Auctions in America, who facilitated the sale. Both artworks bear Banksy’s signature.
Additional items sold at the auction included sentimental memorabilia from Perry’s time on the hit TV show “Friends,” where he portrayed the beloved character Chandler Bing from 1994 to 2004.
A script from the show’s final episode, “The Last One,” signed by all cast members, including Perry, Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, and Matt LeBlanc, was sold for £70,000. Moreover, a replica of the iconic “peephole” frame from Monica and Rachel’s apartment fetched £30,000, while personal items owned by the Batman enthusiast, such as a custom The Dark Knight Rises watch, were sold for £16,000.
The auction occurred shortly after Perry’s personal live-in assistant was sentenced to three years and five months in prison for administering the drugs that led to his death.
Kenneth Iwamasa admitted to providing Perry with six to eight ketamine injections daily in his final days, with Perry allegedly requesting a large dose on the day of his demise. In an emotional statement to Perry’s family in an LA court, Kenneth expressed deep regret for his actions, hoping that his story would serve as a cautionary tale for those facing similar choices.
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