Kenneth Iwamasa, the former personal assistant of actor Matthew Perry, was sentenced to three years and five months in federal prison for his role in the actor’s fatal ketamine overdose. Iwamasa pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and admitted to obtaining the drug for Perry in the weeks leading up to his death in October 2023.
Federal prosecutors said Iwamasa administered ketamine to Perry multiple times before the actor was found dead in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home. During sentencing, the judge said Iwamasa played a role in the events leading to Perry’s death and noted that he did not immediately notify authorities after finding Perry unresponsive.
Iwamasa’s attorney, Alan Eisner, said his client remains deeply remorseful.
“Kenny wants to express his deepest sympathy for the part that he played in the death of Matthew Perry,” said Eisner.
Members of Perry’s family also spoke out following the sentencing. Keith Morrison, Perry’s stepfather, said Iwamasa had been instructed to contact family members if Perry experienced problems with drugs, but failed to do so.
Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the sitcom “Friends”, died at age 54. Iwamasa is the final defendant to be sentenced in the case, bringing the criminal proceedings surrounding Perry’s death to a close.
