Latest news with #Friends'
Kuwait Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
Main doctor charged in actor Matthew Perry overdose to plead guilty
The main doctor charged in connection with the drug overdose of 'Friends' star Matthew Perry is expected to enter a guilty plea in the coming weeks, the US Justice Department said Monday. Salvador Plasencia 'has agreed to plead guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of 40 years in federal prison,' the department said in a statement. The second doctor in the case, Mark Chavez, pleaded guilty last October to conspiring to distribute ketamine in the weeks before the actor was found dead in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home in 2023. Perry's lengthy struggles with substance addiction were well-documented, but his death at age 54 sent shockwaves through the global legions of 'Friends' fans. A criminal investigation was launched soon after an autopsy discovered he had high levels of ketamine - an anesthetic - in his system. Plasencia allegedly bought ketamine off Chavez and sold it to the American-Canadian actor at hugely inflated prices. 'I wonder how much this moron will pay,' Plasencia wrote in one text message presented by prosecutors. He went to Perry's home to administer ketamine by injection, according to a plea deal published Monday by the Justice Department. In total, Plasencia distributed 20 vials of ketamine over a roughly two-week period in autumn 2023, the document said. Perry had been taking ketamine as part of supervised therapy for depression. But prosecutors say that before his death he became addicted to the substance, which also has psychedelic properties and is a popular party drug. Dark struggle Five people have been charged over Perry's death. Jasveen Sangha, the alleged 'Ketamine Queen' who supplied drugs to high-end clients and celebrities, is charged with selling Perry the dose that killed him. She has pleaded not guilty. Perry's live-in personal assistant and another man pleaded guilty last August to charges of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Comedic television series 'Friends,' which followed the lives of six New Yorkers navigating adulthood, dating and careers, drew a massive global following and made megastars of previously unknown actors. Perry's role as the sarcastic man-child Chandler brought him fabulous wealth, but hid a dark struggle with addiction to painkillers and alcohol. In 2018, he suffered a drug-related burst colon and underwent multiple surgeries. In his 2022 memoir 'Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing,' Perry described going through detox dozens of times. 'I have mostly been sober since 2001,' he wrote, 'save for about sixty or seventy little mishaps.'--AFP
The Province
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Province
Guilty plea expected from doctor who supplied Matthew Perry with ketamine, called him a 'moron'
Dr. Salvador Plasencia facing a maximum sentence of 40 years Published Jun 17, 2025 • 3 minute read A doctor who once called Friends actor Matthew Perry a "moron" is set to plead guilty to supplying the late star with ketamine that led to his overdose. Photo by Getty Images Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. A doctor charged with giving Matthew Perry ketamine in the month leading up to the 'Friends' star's overdose death will plead guilty, according to an agreement filed in court Monday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Dr. Salvador Plasencia agreed to plead guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine, according to the signed document filed in federal court in Los Angeles. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors agreed to drop three additional counts of distribution of ketamine and two counts of falsifying records. Federal prosecutors said in a statement that the plea carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. They said Plasencia is expected to formally plead guilty in the coming weeks. According to a co-defendant, Plasencia in a text message called the actor a 'moron' who could be exploited for money. The physician had been one of the primary targets of the prosecution, along with a woman accused of being a ketamine dealer. Three other defendants, including another doctor, agreed to plead guilty last year in exchange for their cooperation. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Plasencia and the woman, Jasveen Sangha, had been scheduled to face trial in August. An email to his attorney seeking comment was not immediately answered. Perry was found dead by his assistant on Oct. 28, 2023. The medical examiner ruled that ketamine, typically used as a surgical anesthetic, was the primary cause of death. Matthew Perry seen in a jacuzzi in his last Instagram post in October 2023. Photo by Instagram / Bang Showbiz The actor had been using the drug through his regular doctor in a legal but off-label treatment for depression, which has become increasingly common. Perry, 54, began seeking more ketamine than his doctor would give him. Plasencia admitted in his plea agreement that another patient connected him with Perry, and that starting about a month before Perry's death, he illegally supplied the actor with 20 vials of ketamine, totalling 100 mg of the drug, along with ketamine lozenges and syringes. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. He admitted to enlisting the other doctor, Mark Chavez, to supply the drug for him, according to the court filings. 'I wonder how much this moron will pay,' Plasencia texted Chavez, according to Chavez's plea agreement. The two met up the same day in Costa Mesa, halfway between the Los Angeles area where Plasencia practiced and San Diego, where Chavez practiced, and exchanged several vials of ketamine, the filings said. After selling the drugs to Perry for $4,500, Plasencia allegedly asked Chavez if he could keep supplying them so they could become Perry's 'go-to,' prosecutors said. Plasencia admitted to visiting Perry's house twice and injecting him with ketamine. He also left ketamine behind and showed Perry's personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, how to inject it, according to Iwamasa's plea agreement. The doctor later met up with Iwamasa and gave him more ketamine for Perry, according to the document. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Perry was also getting ketamine from another source, Sangha, who prosecutors allege was a major dealer and supplied the dose that killed the actor. Sangha has pleaded not guilty — making her the only one of the five people charged in Perry's death who has not entered a plea agreement. She remains jailed as she awaits trial. Plasencia was freed on bond after his initial court appearances. Erik Fleming, a friend of Perry who said he acted as a middleman and drug messenger, has also pleaded guilty and has been cooperating with prosecutors. None of the defendants has yet been sentenced. Plasencia's plea deal makes no specific sentencing guarantees. Perry struggled with addiction for years, dating back to his time on 'Friends,' when he became one of the biggest stars of his generation as Chandler Bing. He starred alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004 on NBC's megahit. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here. 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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What Happened to Kate Spade? This New Memoir Sheds Light on the Designer's Glamorous Life and Personal Demons
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission. Kate Spade left behind a trailblazing legacy in the fashion industry, and her preppy designs have been beloved by everyone from Taylor Swift to Kerry Washington and Mindy Kaling. Now, her longtime friend and former business partner has written a new book that captures the heart of their bond and the story behind their shared success. More from Rolling Stone How to Watch Panthers vs. Oilers Stanley Cup Final Game 6 Online The One in Vegas: 'Friends' Arrives on Las Vegas Strip With New Interactive Fan Experience How to Watch the Oregon State vs. Louisville CWS Re-Match Online $26.96 $28.99 7% off Buy Now On Amazon $28.99 Buy Now on barnes & noble Titled We Might Just Make It After All, the 304-page memoir — released today — is authored by Elyce Arons, an entrepreneur, writer, and co-founder of the Kate Spade brand. Arons met Spade during their college years at the University of Kansas, and from that point on, the two were inseparable, both personally and professionally. This book offers an intimate look at their friendship, the building of a fashion empire, and what it was like to grow up together in New York City. 'We Might Just Make It After All brings us on the rollercoaster of adventures (and misadventures) that the best friends embarked on, from transferring colleges on a whim, to falling in and out of love with suitors, cramming into roach-infested Hell's Kitchen apartments, and eventually designing the chic, simple bag that would launch the pair to global fame,' an official Amazon description of the book states. This story is a powerful read for anyone who has admired Kate Spade's work over the years, has an interest in fashion, or is navigating their own journey through grief (Spade died from suicide in 2018), and is looking for comforting words from someone who's faced a similar loss. $26.96 $28.99 7% off Buy Now On Amazon $28.99 Buy Now on barnes & noble 'This book is not only a deep dive into what it takes to persevere and achieve hard-earned success as female entrepreneurs, but it is also a beautiful portrayal of the complexities of female friendship and the joy, the struggle and power of a deep connection between two unique women, ' said New York Times Best-Selling Author, Brooke Shields, in a review listed on Amazon. 'Elyce's storytelling and relatable characters made me laugh, cry, and reflect on my own friendships. At its core, the book explores profound love and loss, and the story will stay with you long after you turn the last page. I could not put it down.' You can pick up the hardcover on Amazon and Barnes & Noble for under $30. And If you're craving more Kate Spade, shop some of our favorite handbags from the brand — or check out Frances Valentine, the designer's other label, now led by Elyce Arons as CEO. Best of Rolling Stone The Best Audiophile Turntables for Your Home Audio System
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Coca-Cola's Smartwater is bringing back a former friend to its advertisements
Smartwater is bringing one of the world's most familiar faces — and former friend — back to its advertisements. Jennifer Aniston is once again the face of the electrolyte-infused water, rejoining the brand following a five-year hiatus. The Coca-Cola-owned unit has re-signed the actress and entrepreneur to attract attention to the nearly 30-year-old Smartwater, which faces growing competition from newer brands. Aniston first signed with Smartwater in 2007, shortly after Coca-Cola acquired the company, helping it become the top-selling premium water brand in the United States. Her memorable ads became a mainstay on television and in glossy magazines. Aniston will once again grip her trusty Smartwater in a global ad campaign launching Tuesday that includes ads on TV, online, billboards and in print. Since her exit from the brand, competition for premium water has greatly increased as consumers cut back on pricey purchases amid economic uncertainty. Smartwater is hoping the universally beloved star could help refresh the brand. 'The premium water segment's declining a bit and likely driven by some macroeconomic trends that are going on right now,' said Stacy Jackson, Coca-Cola's vice president of water and tea for North America. But consumers are still obsessed with hydration, and Smartwater sales have held steady. It's the top-selling brand in the category with dollar sales rising 5% last year to $1.4 billion. Consumers still associated Aniston with Smartwater despite her not being with the brand since 2020 when her contract ended. An A-lister for decades, she's remained in the public eye in recent years, notably with the starring role in the Apple TV+ series 'The Morning Show' as well as 'Friends' streaming on Netflix, which introduced her to a new generation of fans and further bolstered her popularity. That prompted Coca-Cola to rekindle discussions about a year ago. 'When we called her management company, her manager said, 'Where have you guys been? What took you so long?'' said Luke Perkins, group director of creative strategy at Coca-Cola, who described the partnership as 'a real love affair.' Aniston's new two-year deal with Smartwater has her starring in ads that are reminiscent of its past ads. In the first TV commercial, she's on set and facing demands from a director and takes a brief respite to sip on a bottle of Smartwater. Aniston 'gets that clarity through that drink of water and that moment for herself,' Perkins told CNN. 'That's our resolution: She's the ace of this and we can all use a little bit of that' In addition to posing with Smartwater's flagship product, which accounts for 82% of its sales, Aniston will also promote the brand's alkaline-infused waters as well its newly launched 12-ounce aluminum cans. Aniston said in a press release that 'in my heart, this partnership never really ended,' adding that the ads are a 'fun reminder that the smart choice is sometimes the simplest one, and how those choices can ultimately lead to greater well-being.' The hype around hydration is driving the growth of packaged water, according to Kelsey Girard, Mintel's senior food and drink analyst. Four in 10 consumers report being more focused on hydration compared to a year ago. 'Hydration is an attainable health priority when budgets are tighter, yet increased education around the benefits of proper hydration is resonating, too,' Girard said. Aniston could help Smartwater stand out in an increasingly crowded market. 'Bringing in an asset like a Jennifer Aniston is going to help as we look to increase overall awareness of our brand and ensure we bring in new users to the category and then also ensure that the users that we already have become lifetime loyalists,' Jackson told CNN. Signing a celebrity is en vogue with Smartwater's competitors. Icelandic Glacial announced last week it has enlisted dancer Julianne Hough to be its first-ever celebrity spokesperson. Danone's Evian last year partnered with music producer Pharrell Williams to create custom bottles and a tennis-themed fashion collection with the water brand. 'Premium bottled water is an obvious place for consumers to cut back to manage higher grocery costs,' said Duane Stanford, editor and publisher of Beverage Digest. 'Brands will look for ways to prove their value, in part by enticing consumers to act like the celebrities whose lifestyles they admire.'
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Doctor who supplied ‘Friends' actor Matthew Perry with ketamine to plead guilty
A doctor accused of giving 'Friends' star Matthew Perry ketamine in the month leading up to his fatal overdose has agreed to plead guilty, US prosecutors said on Monday. Dr Salvador Plasencia will plead guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine, according to the US Attorney's Office. The charges carry a maximum prison sentence of 40 years. Plasencia is expected to formally enter his plea in the coming weeks, the Associated Press reported. Perry, 54, was found dead in his hot tub on 28 October 2023. The medical examiner ruled that his death was caused by 'acute effects of ketamine.' Though the actor had been receiving the drug legally through his regular physician as part of an off-label depression treatment, he began seeking higher quantities than his doctor was willing to provide. According to court filings cited by the AP, Plasencia stepped in around that time and contacted another doctor, Mark Chavez, to help procure ketamine. 'I wonder how much this moron will pay,' Plasencia texted Chavez, according to prosecutors. The two met that same day in Costa Mesa, California, where Chavez gave Plasencia four vials of ketamine. Prosecutors said Plasencia then sold the drugs to Perry for $4,500 and even proposed becoming Perry's regular supplier, asking Chavez if he could 'keep supplying' so they could be the actor's 'go-to.' As per the report by AP, Plasencia and a woman named Jasmine Sangha, described by prosecutors as a major ketamine dealer, had been the key targets in the case after three other defendants, including Chavez, entered plea deals and agreed to cooperate with the investigation. While Plasencia is believed to have supplied most of the ketamine Perry consumed in his final weeks, Sangha is alleged to have provided the fatal dose. She has pleaded not guilty and is set to go to trial in August, making her the only one of the five people charged who has not entered a plea agreement. Perry had long struggled with addiction, dating back to his time as Chandler Bing on Friends, which ran from 1994 to 2004.
