‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry’s assistant sentenced:Kenneth gets more than 3 years in prison; judge says, ‘Your actions were reckless’

Kenneth Iwamasa, Matthew Perry’s personal assistant, has been sentenced to over three years in prison for his role in the actor’s ketamine-related death. The judge emphasised Iwamasa’s awareness of Matthew Perry’s addiction and his reckless behaviour leading up to the tragedy. Kenneth was the last person sentenced in the case Kenneth was the last of five people sentenced in connection with Matthew Perry’s death, which occurred on October 28, 2023. The others included doctors and a drug dealer. Kenneth was Perry’s constant companion in his final days, enabling his drug use and ultimately administering the fatal dose of ketamine. He was also the one who found Matthew dead in his jacuzzi. Kenneth admitted to illegally providing Perry with ketamine Kenneth Iwamasa, Matthew Perry’s assistant, admitted to illegally providing Perry with ketamine, which led to the actor’s death. In 2024, Kenneth pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and was sentenced to 41 months in prison, plus supervised release, a fine, and a mandatory payment. Prosecutors highlighted that Kenneth was aware of the risks. He had known Matthew for years, lived with him as his assistant since 2022, and was informed about his addiction and a doctor’s concerns. Despite this knowledge, Kenneth admitted to giving Perry at least 27 ketamine injections in the days before his death, including at least three on the day he died. He had also witnessed Matthew unconscious and unable to speak after ketamine injections on previous occasions. These actions ultimately contributed to Perry’s tragic death.
During the hearing, Kenneth’s lawyer argued for a lighter sentence, claiming he was simply trying to please Matthew Perry. However, Matthew’s family strongly condemned Kenneth’s actions, stating he betrayed their trust and contributed to Matthew’s demise. Matthew’s stepfather, Keith Morrison, acknowledged the power imbalance but emphasised that Kenneth still had a choice to act differently. Lisa Ferguson, Matthew’s business manager, accused Kenneth Iwamasa of isolating Matthew from sober companions and medical professionals to increase his own influence. She expressed her belief that Kenneth exploited Matthew’s addiction for his personal gain. Kenneth apologised to Perry’s family Kenneth expressed regret for his illegal actions. He has been sentenced to three years and five months in prison, along with a $10,000 fine and two years of probation. The sentence aligns with what prosecutors sought, although the judge disagreed with some of their arguments. About Matthew Perry Matthew Perry, known for his role in the hit TV show “Friends,” struggled with addiction for many years. His death has sparked widespread grief and renewed discussions about the dangers of drug abuse and the responsibilities of those around individuals battling addiction. ​