Main Doctor Charged In Actor Matthew Perry Overdose To Plead Guilty

 Dr. Mark Chavez, the primary physician charged in the 2023 fentanyl overdose death of actor Matthew Perry, is set to plead guilty, according to a statement from the U.S. Justice Department on June 17, 2025. 

Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on “Friends,” died at age 54 after receiving excessive doses of fentanyl from a network of suppliers, including Chavez. The doctor, based in Los Angeles, allegedly provided Perry with large quantities of the opioid without legitimate medical justification, contributing to his death. Investigations revealed a broader drug trafficking ring involving multiple individuals, with Chavez facing charges of illegal distribution of controlled substances. 

His guilty plea, expected in a California federal court within weeks, follows plea deals from other co-defendants. The case has drawn attention to the U.S. opioid crisis, with fentanyl-related deaths rising sharply. Prosecutors are seeking significant penalties to deter similar misconduct, though details of Chavez’s plea agreement remain undisclosed. Perry’s death sparked widespread grief, and his family has called for stronger regulations on prescription drugs.