Celebrity Death

'Parasite' star Lee Sun-kyun had begged police not to publicly announce he was under investigation for using illegal drugs ... 4 days before his apparent suicide.

Police officials confirmed Thursday that Sun-kyun's lawyer requested cops to close the latest questioning round to the press on Saturday ... but they declined.

A day before Sun-kyun's body was found, his lawyer added the actor was hopeful any future interrogation would be in private ... explaining he felt burdened discussing the allegations in a public setting as the media coverage had been intense.

While the Incheon Metropolitan Police Chief, Kim Hui-jung, expressed deep regret over Sun-kyun's passing ... he stuck by their tough line of questioning -- adding it had been done with his consent.

As we reported, the South Korean actor was found dead, aged 48, in his car Wednesday in the capital city of Seoul ... after his manager reported him missing to the police.

He was under investigation for a drug blackmail plot ... accused of using marijuana and other substances at the home of a hostess from the local bar -- though he claimed she deceived him into taking the drugs and tried to blackmail him.

He was last questioned by police on Dec 23 ... and was detained for 19 hours before being released.

Two suspects – a man and a woman – were arrested in connection with the narcotics investigation ... and a day before Lee was found dead, he requested through his attorney that police administer a lie detector test to him and the two others.

It's not clear if they were given the polygraph exam.

Tom Smothers -- one half of the famous singing comedy team the "Smothers Brothers" -- has died.

In a statement released Wednesday, Dick Smothers announced his brother's passing, saying Tom died at home as a result of cancer.

Dick went on to say “Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner."

Continuing, Dick said, “I am forever grateful to have spent a lifetime together with him, on and off stage, for over 60 years."

Dick ended with, "Our relationship was like a good marriage – the longer we were together, the more we loved and respected one another. We were truly blessed.”

In the late '50s, early 1960s, Tom and Dick often appeared on TV variety shows and released popular albums of their stage performances. In 1967, they finally landed their own variety show, "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour," which instantly became one of the most hotly debated TV programs during the Vietnam War period.

The "Smothers Brothers" got canceled decades before cancellation became a thing. Tommy became super political when the show was in its second season, railing with satire against the Vietnam War. The Bros were especially critical of then-President Lyndon B. Johnson.

On one show Tommy looked straight into the camera and said, "Okay, all you guys in Vietnam, come on home."

During one episode, Harry Belafonte sang, "Don't Stop the Carnival," and the backdrop on stage were images of the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago, where then-Mayor Richard Daley ordered law enforcement to beat Vietnam protesters in the streets.

They took on other issues as well, but it was too hot for CBS. The network pulled the plug in 1969 at the end of season 3. People in the anti-war movement, along with free speech advocates, were outraged.

Tommy and Dick sued CBS for breach of contract and they eventually got $775,000. The 'SBCH' came back for a short-lived revival in 1988 but ended after one season

Think Dixie Chicks, but 40 years earlier.

Lee Sun-kyun, mejor conocido por su papel en 2019 en la película ganadora del Óscar "Parásito"- murió a causa de un suicidio mientras era investigado por consumir drogas ilegales.

El actor surcoreano fue encontrado sin vida en su carro el miércoles en Seúl, después de que el representante de Lee denunciara su desaparición a la policía, según CNN.

Funcionarios de la ciudad capital dijeron a CNN que la muerte de Lee era "presumiblemente un suicidio", ya que los investigadores forenses fueron vistos colocando cinta policial en el lugar donde se descubrió el carro de Lee.

La policía de Incheon, una ciudad fronteriza con Seúl, interrogó a Lee en tres ocasiones durante una investigación criminal por posible consumo de estupefacientes.

Lee admitió haber consumido drogas, pero dijo que lo engañaron y lo chantajearon para que los tomara, ya que acabó demandando al extorsionador. Al parecer, la policía recibió un soplo sobre su consumo de estupefacientes justo antes de que presentara la demanda.

Como parte de la investigación policial, Lee fue sometido repetidamente a pruebas de drogas, pero los resultados siempre fueron negativos, según CNN.

Los agentes interrogaron por última vez a Lee el 23 de diciembre. Lo mantuvieron detenido durante 19 horas antes de ponerlo en libertad.

Dos sospechosos -un hombre y una mujer- fueron detenidos en relación con la investigación sobre narcóticos.

El martes -el día antes en que fue hallado muerto- solicitó a través de su abogado que la policía lo sometiera a él y a las otras dos personas detenidas a una prueba del detector de mentiras. No está claro si los tres fueron sometidos a la prueba del polígrafo.

En la comedia-thriller "Parásito", Lee interpretaba el papel estelar de Park Dong-ik, el padre de una familia adinerada atacada por un clan de intrigantes indigentes que se infiltran en su hogar. La película obtuvo 4 Óscar en 2020, incluido el de Mejor Película.

Lee tenía 48 años.

Que en paz descanse.

Lee Sun-kyun – best known for his 2019 role in the Oscar-winning film "Parasite" – has died by suicide while under investigation for using illegal drugs.

The South Korean actor was found dead in his car Wednesday in the capital city of Seoul after Lee's manager reported him missing to police, according to CNN.

Seoul officials told the network Lee's death was "presumed to be suicide," as forensic investigators were seen putting up police tape where Lee's car was discovered.

Police in Incheon, a city that borders Seoul, interrogated Lee on three occasions during the criminal probe into his possible narcotics use.

Lee admitted to consuming drugs, but claimed he was tricked into taking them and blackmailed, as he ended up suing the extortionist. Cops were allegedly tipped off about Lee's narcotics use just before he filed the lawsuit.

As part of the police investigation, Lee was repeatedly drug tested, but the results always came back negative, CNN said.

Officers last questioned Lee on December 23, keeping him detained for 19 hours before releasing him.

Two suspects – a man and a woman – were arrested in connection with the narcotics investigation.

On Tuesday – the day before Lee was found dead – he requested through his attorney that police administer a lie detector test to him and the two people who were arrested. It's not clear if the three were given the polygraph exam.

In the comedy-thriller, "Parasite," Lee had a starring role as Park Dong-ik – the father of a wealthy family targeted by an indigent clan of schemers who infiltrate their household. The film snagged 4 Oscars at the 2020 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Lee was 48.

RIP

Kamar de los Reyes -una estrella de telenovelas de larga data- ha muerto, según su familia.

Un portavoz dio la noticia a THR el domingo, diciendo que el actor falleció el sábado por la noche en Los Ángeles después de una breve batalla contra el cáncer. No está claro qué tipo de cáncer fue con el que estuvo luchando o cuando fue diagnosticado, ya que todo el proceso fue bastante privado.

Aunque de los Reyes es quizás más recordado por su papel de Antonio Vega en 'One Life to Live' - en la que apareció en 287 episodios - los fans de los videojuegos probablemente lo reconozcan también ... ya que puso la voz al villano Raúl Menéndez en la serie 'Call of Duty'.

Puso voz a Menéndez, un personaje principal y recurrente, en un total de 4 entregas de "COD", incluido el famoso "Black Ops II", donde debutó como el gran villano de los años venideros.

De los Reyes también tenía un currículum impresionante fuera de eso. Además de su trabajo en "OLTL" y "COD", también había protagonizado programas como "Sleepy Hallow", "All American", "The Rookie", "Reed Between the Lines", "Promised Land", "Four Corners", "Valley of the Dolls", "ER"... así como estrella invitada en "Law & Order", "CSI", "The Mentalist" y más.

También ha participado en un puñado de películas, como "Nixon", "En busca de un sueño", "La celda", "Cayo", "Salt", "Apocalipsis en Los Ángeles", "Amelia 2.0" y "Tíos buenos con pistolas", entre otras.

A de los Reyes le sobreviven su esposa, Sherri Saum, sus hijos y otros familiares. Tenía 56 años.

Kamar de los Reyes -- a longtime soap opera star -- has died, according to his family.

A spokesperson broke the news to THR Sunday, saying the actor passed away Saturday night in L.A. after a brief battle with cancer. Unclear what sort of cancer he might've been battling, or when he was diagnosed -- but it sounds like it was kept fairly private.

While de los Reyes will perhaps best remembered for his role as Antonio Vega on "One Life to Live" -- on which he was featured in 287 episodes -- video game fans probably recognize him too ... as he voiced villain Raul Menendez in the "Call of Duty" series.

He voiced Menendez -- a main and recurring character -- for a total of 4 'COD' installments ... including the famed 'Black Ops II,' where he debuted as the big bad for years to come.

de los Reyes had an impressive résumé outside of that as well. In addition to his work on 'OLTL' and 'COD' -- he had also memorably starred in shows like "Sleepy Hollow," "All American," "The Rookie," "Reed Between the Lines, "Promised Land," "Four Corners," "Valley of the Dolls," "ER" ... as well as guest starring on "Law & Order," "CSI," "The Mentalist" and more.

He had also been in a handful of films ... like "Nixon," "In Search of a Dream," "The Cell," "Cayo," "Salt," "LA Apocalypse," "Amelia 2.0," "Hot Guys with Guns" as well as others.

de los Reyes is survived by his wife, Sherri Saum, their children and other family. He was 56.

Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen's family dog died, and they're both post remembrances of the pooch -- who their kids seemed to absolutely adore.

The exes posted respective tributes to their pit bull mix, Lua, on Saturday ... announcing their longtime pet had passed on. Tom threw up a photo of his two children with Gisele -- Benjamin and Vivian -- hovering over their doggy, which had its eyes closed.

He wrote, "We love you Lua RIP." He posted another photo of Lulu, and added ... "Forever in our hearts." In yet another IG Story slide, he uploaded a boomerang of his daughter playing with Lulu.

Gisele, likewise, threw up a bunch of shots of the canine in a sprawling IG post ... and she had a sweet shout-out to Lulu that touched on just how much she meant to the family.

She wrote, "Our little Lulu, our guardian angel is gone to heaven. She will forever live in our hearts. We already miss her sooooo much! #unconditionallove RIPLua." Her caption was also translated to Portuguese ... and she included a ton of awesome photos of their doggo.

Unclear when exactly they got Lua, but we know they adopted the pit bull at some point in their marriage ... and that their kids grew up with it too. They have another dog too, Fluffy.

All dogs go to heaven.

Nick and Aaron Carter's sister, Bobbie Jean Carter, has died ... TMZ has learned.

Bobbie Jean's mother, Jane Carter, tells us ... "I am in shock from learning of the sudden death of my daughter, Bobbie Jean; and I will need time to process the terrible reality of this happening for the third time.  When I am able to think clearly, I’ll release a fuller statement; but until then I would request to be left to grieve in private."

She adds ... "[H]owever deeply a parent feels the loss of a child, the suffering of a young child at the loss of a parent must be much greater. So, I would ask the sympathetic to say a prayer for my precious eight year old granddaughter Bella, who previously lost her father and is now also left without her mother."

The exact circumstances of Bobbie's death are unclear, but we know she passed away Saturday morning in Florida.

Bobbie Jean -- otherwise known as BJ -- was somewhat involved in the family's music business during the height of her brothers' careers ... especially Aaron, for whom she served as a wardrobe stylist and makeup artist during his tours back in the early 2000s.

She also appeared on the family's E! reality TV show, "House of Carters," on which she was featured in eight episodes. In the years since, Bobbie Jean lived a relatively private life in obscurity, shying away from the spotlight.

Bobbie Jean suffered from addiction and substance abuse over the years ... something that was documented on TV, and which she continued to battle into her later years of adulthood.

She had legal troubles as well, with arrests documented as recently as this year.

BJ's death marks yet another tragedy for the family at large. Not only did they lose Aaron last year due to a drowning at his home -- which was also found to have been drug-related -- but the Carters also lost their other sister, Leslie, in 2012 ... as a result of an overdose.

Now, the only living Carter siblings are Nick and Angel ... there are half-siblings and step-siblings in the family as well. Bobbie Jean is survived by a young daughter, Bella.

Bobbie Jean was 41.

Mike Nussbaum -- a longtime character actor -- has died due to old age ... TMZ has confirmed.

His daughter, Karen, tells us her father passed away from natural causes in bed Saturday morning at his Chicago home, with her right by his side. We're told Nussbaum had been in hospice over the past year -- and Karen adds, "It was his time."

MN was one of the oldest living actors still working in the biz in recent years -- having recently performed in some plays of late ... but his on-camera résumé is impressive too.

He'll perhaps best be remembered as Gentle Rosenburg from "Men in Black" or Bob Drimmer in "Fatal Attraction" ... or even the principal from "Field of Dreams." He'd been in a lot.

Some other notable movie credits of his include ... "House of Games," "Things Change," "Desperate Hours," "Losing Isaiah," "Steal Big Steal Little," "Dirty Work," "Osso Bucco," "Towing," "Tom of Your Life" and more. He'd acted in some big TV shows as well through the years.

Just a taste of some of the series he'd been in ... "Frasier," "L.A. Law," "The Commish," "The X-Files," "Early Edition," "Cupid," "The Chicago Code," "The Equalizer," "Spenser: For Hire," etc.

Nussbaum was considered a legend in the local theater scene there in Chi-Town. He was 99, and just a week short of reaching age 100.

La hermana de Nick y Aaron Carter, Bobbie Jean Carter, ha muerto ... TMZ ha indagado.

La madre de Bobbie Jean, Jane Carter, nos dice: "Estoy en estado de shock al enterarme de la repentina muerte de mi hija Bobbie Jean y necesitaré tiempo para procesar la terrible realidad de que esto suceda por tercera vez. Cuando sea capaz de pensar con claridad, publicaré una declaración más completa; pero hasta entonces pediría que me dejaran llorar en privado".

Ella añade: "[Aunque] un padre siente profundamente la pérdida de un hijo, el sufrimiento de un niño pequeño ante la pérdida de un padre debe ser mucho mayor. Por ello, pido a los compasivos que recen una oración por mi preciosa nieta Bella, de ocho años, que anteriormente perdió a su padre y ahora también se ha quedado sin su madre".

Las circunstancias exactas de la muerte de Bobbie no están claras, pero sabemos que falleció el sábado por la mañana en Florida.

Bobbie Jean, también conocida como BJ, estuvo algo involucrada en el negocio de la música durante el apogeo de las carreras de sus hermanos, especialmente de Aaron, para quien trabajó como estilista de vestuario y artista de maquillaje durante sus giras a principios de la década de los 2000.

También apareció en el reality show de la familia "House of Carters", durante ocho episodios. En los años siguientes, Bobbie Jean vivió una vida relativamente privada en las sombras, huyendo de los focos.

Bobbie Jean sufrió de adicción y abuso de sustancias a lo largo de los años, algo que fue documentado en la televisión y con lo que continuó luchando durante los últimos años de su edad adulta.

También tenía problemas legales, con detenciones documentadas con fechas tan recientes como este año.

La muerte de BJ marca otra tragedia para la familia. No solo perdieron a Aaron el año pasado debido a una asfixia en su casa (también se encontró que estaba relacionado con las drogas), sino que también perdieron a su otra hermana Leslie, en 2012, como resultado de una sobredosis.

Ahora, los únicos hermanos Carter que siguen con vida son Nick y Angel. Hay medios hermanos y hermanastros en la familia también. A Bobbie Jean le sobrevive una hija pequeña, Bella.

Bobbie Jean tenía 41 años.

1:20 PM PT -- The Chicks just addressed Laura's death, writing ... "We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Laura Lynch, a founding member of The Chicks. We hold a special place in our hearts for the time we spent playing music, laughing and traveling together. Laura was a bright light…her infectious energy and humor gave a spark to the early days of our band. Laura had a gift for design, a love of all things Texas and was instrumental in the early success of the band. Her undeniable talents helped propel us beyond busking on street corners to stages all across Texas and the mid-West."

They add, "Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this sad time."

11:42 AM PT -- The Texas Dept. of Public Safety has confirmed Lynch's death, and the details thus far about how she died are absolutely tragic. Law enforcement says their preliminary investigation shows that Laura was heading east on Highway 62, and that another car heading west attempted to pass another vehicle in front of it on a two-way undivided portion of the highway.

As that car tried going around, it ended up hitting Laura's vehicle head-on... and killed her. The driver of the other vehicle was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Laura was declared dead at the scene ... and a full probe has been launched.

Laura Lynch, a founding member of The Dixie Chicks, has died after being involved in a car crash ... TMZ has learned.

The musician's cousin, Mick Lynch, tells us Laura passed away Friday outside of El Paso, TX just after sunset while driving from there to nearby Dell City -- which is about an hour and a half away going east. We're told she was traveling on a highway and got into a collision.

No other details about the exact circumstances of the accident were immediately available.

Lynch co-founded the famous music group -- now known just as The Chicks -- alongside Robin Lynn Macy, Martie Erwin and Emily Erwin back in 1989 ... serving as the upright bassist and eventually taking on the role of lead vocalist for the band.

At first, they had a bluegrass/traditional country sound ... and toward the beginning of their career, they were mostly a local Texas act that toured the area and surrounding states.

Eventually, they released their first album, "Thank Heavens for Dale Evans," in 1990 ... which didn't produce any charting singles. Ditto for their 2nd album, "Little Ol' Cowgirl," from 1992 -- although that one featured a song that got covered and got some play, "Past the Point of Rescue." It was during this period that another OG member, Robin Lynn Macy, exited.

Come '93, it was just 3 Dixie Chicks and they released yet another album, "Shouldn't a Told You That," which didn't receive much commercial success either. This was the last album Lynch contributed to before leaving the band in '95 ... when Natalie Maines replaced her.

There are different reasons cited for why Lynch left ... but it appears she was heading in a different direction big picture -- wanting to focus on family and personal matters. At any rate, in interviews since -- LL expressed no regrets about her decision, and went on to live a relatively private life. Of course, in the following years ... the Dixie Chicks caught fire.

With Maines, the sound of the band changed to become a bit more modern ... and Maines took up lead vocal duties -- with sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer staying on too. They broke through into the mainstream in '98 with "Wide Open Spaces," and took off.

Of course, the Dixie Chicks were at the center of a lot of controversy heading into the 2000s -- including their remarks on George W. Bush and the Iraq War -- and eventually ... they changed their band name too due to the racist southern undertones affiliated with the OG.

As for Laura, she married Mac Tull and had a daughter, both of whom she's survived by. She was 65.

RIP

11:42 AM PT -- El Departamento de Seguridad Pública de Texas ha confirmado la muerte de Lynch y los detalles sobre cómo murió son absolutamente trágicos. La policía dice que su investigación preliminar muestra que Laura se dirigía hacia el este por la autopista 62, y que otro carro que se dirigía hacia el oeste trató de adelantar a otro vehículo en una porción no dividida de las vías de la carretera.

Cuando ese carro intentó dar la vuelta, acabó golpeando de frente al vehículo de Laura y la mató. El conductor del otro vehículo fue trasladado a un hospital con heridas que no ponen en peligro su vida. Laura fue declarada muerta en el lugar de los hechos ... y se ha abierto una investigación completa.

Laura Lynch, miembro fundador de The Dixie Chicks, ha muerto después de estar involucrada en un accidente automovilístico, TMZ ha indagado.

El primo de la cantante, Mick Lynch, nos dice que Laura falleció el viernes en las afueras de El Paso, Texas, justo después de la puesta del sol mientras conducía a la cercana Dell City, que está a una hora y media de distancia hacia el este. Nos dicen que ella viajaba en una carretera y se metió en una colisión.

No están disponibles más detalles sobre las circunstancias exactas del accidente.

Lynch cofundó el famoso grupo de música, ahora conocido solo como The Chicks, junto a Robin Lynn Macy, Martie Erwin y Emily Erwin en 1989. Ella comenzó como bajista y finalmente asumió el papel de vocalista de la banda.

Al principio, tenían un sonido bluegrass/tradicional del country y eran sobre todo un grupo local de Texas que hacía giras por la zona y los estados vecinos.

Con el tiempo, publicaron su primer álbum "Thank Heavens for Dale Evans", en 1990, que no produjo ningún éxito. Lo mismo ocurrió con su segundo álbum, "Little Ol' Cowgirl", de 1992, aunque en ese caso incluyeron una canción que fue portada y tuvo cierta repercusión "Past the Point of Rescue". Fue durante este período cuando otra integrante legendaria Robin Lynn Macy, abandonó el grupo.

En el 93, solo quedaban tres Dixie Chicks y publicaron otro disco titulado "Shouldn't a Told You That", que tampoco tuvo mucho éxito comercial. Este fue el último álbum en el que participó Lynch antes de abandonar el grupo en 1995, cuando Natalie Maines la sustituyó.

Hay diferentes razones de por qué se fue, pero parece que iba en otra dirección en general. Deseaba centrarse en su familia y sus asuntos personales. En cualquier caso, en las entrevistas que ha concedido desde entonces, Laura Lynch no se había arrepentido de su decisión y llevaba una vida relativamente privada. Por supuesto, en los años siguientes las Dixie Chicks fueron furor.

Con Maines, el sonido de la banda cambió hacia un estilo un poco más moderno. Ella asumió la función de vocalista junto a las hermanas Martie Maguire y Emily Strayer. En el 98 se abrieron paso con el gran público de "Wide Open Spaces", donde despegaron.

Por supuesto, las Dixie Chicks estuvieron al centro de muchas controversias en la década de los 2000 por sus comentarios sobre George W. Bush y la guerra de Irak, y al final también cambiaron el nombre de su grupo debido a las connotaciones racistas del sur asociadas al nombre original.

En cuanto a Laura, se casó con Mac Tull y tuvo una hija, ambas le sobreviven. Tenía 65 años.

After suffering the loss of Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell, Mama June and the rest of her family are spending the holidays at the happiest place on earth ... and we're told Anna's remains are coming along, too.

Sources connected to the family tell TMZ ... before Anna passed, they had all spoken about spending Christmas at Disney World in Orlando, Florida -- and that plan is going forward, because the fam has rented a house in the area and will spend the week together.

We're told the family has a small urn holding some of Anna's ashes, and they're planning on bringing it with them to the rental house ... so they feel like she is there.

Our sources say Mama June, Alana "Honey Boo Boo" and her boyfriend Dralin Carswell, Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efird and her family, and Anna's daughter, Kaitlyn, will all be going to the Mouse House -- we're told Anna's ex-husband, Michael, got an invite for their kid, Kylee ... but no word back on if she'll be coming, too.

Obviously, Christmas is going to be a hard one for the girls after recently losing their mother ... and while there are no plans to bring Anna's ashes to the theme park, we're told Kaitlyn plans to wear her new necklace there, which contains some of her mom's remains.

As for the gifts, Anna said before she died that she wanted to give her kids iPads, and our sources say they were already gifted the tablets -- with the family wanting to fulfill one of Anna's final wishes.

Después de sufrir la pérdida de Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell, Mamá June y el resto de su familia están pasando las vacaciones en el lugar más feliz del mundo y nos dicen que los restos de Anna están con ellos también.

Fuentes conectadas a la familia le dicen a TMZ que antes de que Anna falleciera habían hablado de pasar la Navidad en Disneyworld en Orlando, Florida, y ese plan sigue en pie porque la familia ha alquilado una casa en la zona para pasar la semana juntos.

Nos dicen que la familia tiene una pequeña urna con algunas de las cenizas de Anna y que están planeando llevarla con ellos al paseo para sentir como si ella estuviera allí.

Nuestras fuentes dicen que Mamá June, Alana "Honey Boo Boo" y su novio Dralin Carswell, Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efird y su familia, y la hija de Anna, Kaitlyn, todos irán a la casa de Mickey Mouse. Nos dicen que el ex marido de Anna, Michael, recibió una invitación para su hija Kylee, pero no se sabe si vendrá también.

Obviamente, la Navidad va a ser difícil para las niñas después de la reciente pérdida de su madre y aunque no hay planes para llevar las cenizas de Anna al parque temático, se nos dice que Kaitlyn planea usar su nuevo collar, que contiene algunos de los restos de su madre.

En cuanto a los regalos, antes de morir Anna dijo que quería darle a sus hijos iPads y nuestras fuentes dicen que ya fueron dotados de las tabletas, pues la familia quería cumplir uno de sus últimos deseos.

George Clooney is speaking out publicly about the death of Matthew Perry ... saying the actor wasn't happy on the set of his hit sitcom, "Friends."

Clooney sat for an interview published Tuesday in Deadline to promote his new film, "The Boys In the Boat," -- and he opened up about his relationship with Perry dating back to the '90s when they first met and played paddle ball together.

At the time, Perry was 16 and searching for success, desperately trying to get on a sitcom. Clooney described Perry as a "great, funny, funny, funny kid."

One day, Clooney said he was chatting with Perry, who told him, "I just want to get on a regular sitcom and I would be the happiest man on earth."

Perry got his wish, scoring a leading role as Chandler Bing on "Friends," which Clooney noted was "probably one of the best ever" TV shows.

Yet, Perry still wasn’t happy, Clooney said, because it "didn’t bring him joy or happiness or peace."

Back then, the two stars worked on the Warner Brothers lot next to each other -- and Clooney recalled it was "hard to watch" Perry because "we didn't know what was going through him."

Clooney insisted he had no idea Perry was popping 12 Vicodin a day and "all the stuff he talked about, all that heartbreaking stuff."

Clooney added that money and success do not automatically translate into happiness, explaining, "You have to be happy with yourself and your life."

As you know ... Perry died of "the acute effects of ketamine," a drug used to treat depression and is sometimes taken recreationally. The L.A. Coroner found several contributing factors: drowning, coronary artery disease, and buprenorphine effects. Buprenorphine is used to ween addicts off opioids.

George Clooney está hablando públicamente sobre la muerte de Matthew Perry, diciendo que el actor no era feliz en el set de su exitosa comedia "Friends".

Clooney dio una entrevista publicada el martes por Deadline para promocionar su nueva película "The Boys In the Boat" y en ella se abrió sobre su relación con Perry, la que se remonta a los años 90, cuando se conocieron y jugaron al pádel juntos.

En ese momento, Perry tenía 16 años y buscaba el éxito, tratando desesperadamente de entrar a una comedia. Clooney describió a Perry como un "chico genial, divertido, gracioso".

Un día, Clooney dijo que estaba charlando con Perry, quien le dijo: "Solo quiero entrar en una comedia sitcom, sería el hombre más feliz de la tierra".

Perry cumplió su deseo con el papel protagonista de Chandler Bing en "Friends", de la que Clooney dijo que era "probablemente una de las mejores series de televisión de la historia".

Sin embargo, Perry siguió sin sentirse contento, dijo Clooney, porque "no le traía alegría, ni felicidad, ni paz".

En aquel entonces, las dos estrellas trabajaron en el lote de Warner Brothers, uno al lado del otro, y Clooney recordó que era "difícil ver" a Perry porque "no sabíamos lo que estaba pasando con él".

Clooney insistió en que no tenía ni idea de que Perry tomaba 12 Vicodin al día y "todas las cosas de las que hablaba, todas esas cosas desgarradoras".

Clooney añadió que el dinero y el éxito no se traducen automáticamente en felicidad, explicando: "Tienes que ser feliz contigo mismo y con tu vida".

Como ustedes saben, Perry murió a causa de "los efectos agudos de la ketamina", una droga utilizada para tratar la depresión y que a veces se toma de forma recreativa. El forense de Los Ángeles encontró varios factores contribuyentes, como el ahogamiento, enfermedad de las arterias coronarias y los efectos de la buprenorfina. La buprenorfina se utiliza para desintoxicar a los adictos a los opiáceos.