Matthew Perry was reportedly “gravely ill” last winter and died lonely and desperate for a wife and family.

The ‘Friends’ actor is believed to have been single when he died in his hot tub at his LA home on Saturday (28.10.23) aged 54, and sources have now said he was left feeling “sad and depressed” by being a bachelor.

An insider also told DailyMail.com about his apparent illness last year: “We were all worried he would not recover this time. He spent over a month in the hospital, causing him to lose weight and look haggard and worn out.

“But somehow, as Matthew always seems to do, he survived and held out hope that new job or that new woman was just around the corner.”

The source added: “All Matt ever wanted was to be happy. But he was always looking for love and happiness in all the wrong places. How sad that when he died he was reportedly alone.”

Matthew was said to have longed for stepchildren due to his close bond with with his stepdad Keith Morrison, who has been married to his mum Suzanne for 42 years.

The insider added: “He wanted a wife, and at least a couple of kids. And he said he wouldn’t even mind marrying a woman who already had kids.”

Matthew, who never married, broke up with his talent manager ex-fiancée Molly Hurwitz, 29, in 2021 after three years of dating.

His other exes have included Julia Roberts, 56, and 41-year-old actress Lizzy Caplan.

The insider added: “Lately the star has been looking for love again. But a string of failed relationships left him feeling sad and depressed, and as if he would never find that love he longed for.

“Matthew dated dozens of women. But in the end, he always felt they were only interested in his money and his fame. And he was generous to a fault.

“He would shower women with gifts only to have them pack up their goodies and walk away.

“In the end I think his years of fighting demons – drugs and alcohol – took a toll on him, and on his health, and eventually he would end up alone again.”