Zac Efron Would Be ‘Honored’ to Portray Matthew Perry in Biopic: ‘He Was a Mentor to Me’
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Zac Efron has expressed his deep honor and willingness to play the late Matthew Perry in a biopic following the news that Perry had envisioned Efron in the role. In a recent interview on the red carpet for his new film, The Iron Claw, Efron shared his gratitude for Perry, whom he considered a mentor and had previously collaborated with on the 2009 comedy, 17 Again.
Matthew Perry Wanted Zac Efron to Play Him in a Biopic
Actor, best known for his iconic role as Chandler Bing on the beloved TV series Friends, Matthew Perry recently passed away. However, amid the worldwide grief, a surprising revelation has emerged. Perry had a specific actor in mind to portray him in a biopic about his life, and that actor was Zac Efron.
Famous for his roles in High School Musical and Baywatch, Efron expressed his feelings about Perry’s wish during a red carpet interview. The two actors had previously worked together in the 2009 teen fantasy comedy 17 Again, where Efron played the younger version of Perry’s character.
In the interview, Efron shared that he felt “honored” to have been Perry’s choice for the biopic. He referred to Perry as a “mentor” figure in his life, emphasizing the impact the late actor had on him during their collaboration on 17 Again. According to Efron, the experience of working with Perry was surreal, and he acknowledged learning crucial comedic timing from the seasoned actor.
Perry’s friend, Athenna Crosby, had initially disclosed the plans for the biopic in an interview with Entertainment Tonight Canada after Perry’s passing. She revealed that Perry had expressed his desire to make a movie about his life and had specifically mentioned wanting Efron to portray a younger version of him. Crosby also shared Perry’s enthusiasm for sharing more about his life, including his journey through addiction recovery.
Matthew Perry’s Death Certificate Has Been Released
Following the news that Efron would be “honored” to portray Perry in a biopic, additional details about the late actor have surfaced. Perry’s death certificate, released by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, provides additional insights into the circumstances surrounding his passing.
The document confirms that Perry’s final resting place is Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, a poignant location near the Warner Bros. Studios lot where he filmed the iconic TV series Friends. The 54-year-old actor’s private funeral, attended by friends and costars, took place on November 3, nearly a week after his tragic demise on October 28.
While the death certificate states the cause of death as “deferred,” it sheds light on the specific details of that fateful day. At 4:17 p.m., authorities found Perry unresponsive in a hot tub at his residence in the Pacific Palisades outside of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Fire Department made attempts to revive him but unfortunately declared him deceased upon their arrival.
