Hollywood Manager Doug Chapin Retires After Matthew Perry’s Death

Doug Chapin, who managed Friends star Matthew Perry for almost 30 years, has decided to retire from Hollywood following the actor’s tragic death in October 2023.

Perry’s passing, reportedly due to a ketamine overdose, left Chapin emotionally devastated and led him to step away from managing the careers of others.

This decision came after Chapin almost single-handedly arranged Perry’s funeral, eulogy, and body disposal, according to screenwriter Kate Lanier, one of Chapin’s former clients.

Credit: mattyperry4

Doug Chapin’s Long Career with Matthew Perry

Doug Chapin had been managing Matthew Perry for nearly 30 years, developing a close personal and professional relationship with the Friends star.

Over the decades, Chapin witnessed the ups and downs of Perry’s life and career, including his well-documented struggles with addiction. Despite these challenges, Chapin remained a steadfast figure in Perry’s life.

However, Perry’s death became a breaking point for Chapin. According to Lanier, Perry’s death was “the straw that broke the camel’s back.”

After years of supporting Perry through his career and personal difficulties, Chapin decided he could no longer handle the emotional burden of managing high-profile clients, especially those battling addiction.

Credit: mattyperry4

The Emotional Toll of Matthew Perry’s Death

Perry’s death had a profound impact on Chapin. After Perry’s passing, Chapin told Lanier, “I’m done taking care of people in their careers.” He decided to retire from Hollywood altogether and move to northern California with his husband.

The couple has since spent time traveling in Portugal and Spain, leaving behind the high-pressure world of Hollywood management.

Lanier, a screenwriter who worked with Chapin and Perry’s assistant Kenny Iwamasa, described how difficult it was for Chapin to manage the aftermath of Perry’s death.

Chapin had to arrange all of Perry’s final affairs, including his funeral and memorial service, which placed an enormous emotional burden on him.

The Role of Kenny Iwamasa in Matthew Perry’s Final Day

Kenny Iwamasa, Perry’s assistant, also played a significant role in the actor’s life. Iwamasa had been working closely with Perry for years, helping with daily tasks and acting as a live-in assistant in the months leading up to Perry’s death.

However, his involvement in Perry’s drug use has led to serious legal consequences.

According to reports, Iwamasa pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine, admitting that he had repeatedly injected Perry with the drug in the days and hours leading up to his death.

Iwamasa’s involvement in Perry’s overdose has shocked many, as he had been a trusted figure in Perry’s life. Lanier explained that Iwamasa likely didn’t intend to harm Perry but may have been confused about the potential benefits of ketamine, which has been researched as a treatment for depression and other mental health conditions.

Despite his role in Perry’s death, Lanier expressed empathy for Iwamasa, suggesting that he might have believed he was helping Perry. However, the tragic outcome has resulted in significant legal trouble for Iwamasa.

Doug Chapin’s Final Contributions to Matthew Perry’s Life and Career

In addition to managing Perry’s career, Chapin played a crucial role in the creation of Perry’s 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. Lanier mentioned that Chapin was deeply involved in the book’s writing process, helping Perry craft his story about fame, addiction, and recovery.

Chapin’s literary talents had long been recognized by his clients, including Lanier, who described him as having “perfect feedback” on her screenplays. She believes Chapin contributed significantly to the writing of Perry’s memoir, though his involvement may not have been widely known.

When Perry died, Chapin took on the responsibility of handling the actor’s final affairs. Lanier revealed that Chapin was the one who arranged Perry’s memorial service, delivered the eulogy, and handled communications with the coroner.

These responsibilities, combined with the emotional weight of losing a longtime friend and client, ultimately pushed Chapin to retire.

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Conclusion

Doug Chapin’s retirement marks the end of a long career in Hollywood, where he managed the careers of talented individuals like Matthew Perry. However, Perry’s death and the emotional toll it took on Chapin led him to make the decision to step away from the industry.

Key points that contributed to Chapin’s retirement include:

• Matthew Perry’s death: Chapin was devastated by the loss of his longtime client and friend, which became the tipping point for his decision to retire.
• Emotional and professional exhaustion: After years of managing high-profile clients, including those with personal struggles, Chapin felt he could no longer handle the responsibility.
• Handling Perry’s final affairs: Chapin took on the difficult task of arranging Perry’s funeral, eulogy, and body disposal, which further contributed to his emotional exhaustion.
• Retirement and new life: Chapin has since left Hollywood behind, choosing to retire in northern California and travel abroad.

Despite his retirement, Chapin’s legacy in Hollywood and his close relationship with Matthew Perry will be remembered for years to come.

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