The overdose death of Matthew Perry was a shock to anyone who grew up in the ‘90s watching Friends. Five people were arrested surrounding Matthew Perry’s premature death, including a local physician and the actor’s live-in assistant. Additionally, Erik Fleming, the director of the children’s fantasy film My Brother the Pig, was charged as a middleman in the case. Fleming, who was known to Perry as a TV “acquaintance,” now faces up to 25 years in his federal case.
It’s somewhat of a bizarre coincidence (or another tragic Hollywood downfall) that Fleming was involved in the scheme that killed the ’90s star, considering he was once an up-and-coming director in the same decade. Fleming produced the first season of The Surreal Life, which starred MC Hammer, Corey Feldman, Vince Neil, and others. He directed the bizarre 1995 sci-fi film, which starred a variety of ’80s icons, such as Martin Kemp of Spandau Ballet, Adam Ant, and Grace Jones.
However, he’s perhaps best known for directing the 1999 children’s fantasy film, My Brother the Pig, which starred Scarlett Johansson, Eva Mendes, and Judge Reinhold. The story revolves around a young boy named George who is magically transformed into a pig. Along with his housekeeper, best friend, and sister, George goes on a wild adventure to Mexico in an attempt to undo the spell before his parents return from Paris. Let’s just hope Fleming hadn’t started dealing drugs by then.
Watch the Entire Movie ‘My Brother the Pig’ Below:
Two years ago, in an interview with GQ, Mendes’ husband, Ryan Gosling, shared that he and his family had watched My Brother the Pig numerous times during COVID lockdown. “My Brother The Pig was a big hit,” says Gosling. “I highly recommend it, by the way. Eva’s amazing in it.”
Related L.A. Police & DEA Launch Probe Into Matthew Perry’s Death
The Los Angeles police department and the DEA have now opened an investigation into the death of Matthew Perry.
My Drug Dealer, the Pig
According to the Department of Justice, Fleming’s activities appeared to be those of a drug dealer. Fleming proactively coordinated with Perry’s live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, and a local physician, Jasveen Sangha, known as the “Ketamine Queen,” to deliver Perry his lethal dose. The DOJ gave a statement that said, “After discussing prices with [co-defendant] Iwamasa, Fleming coordinated the drug sales with Sangha, and brought cash from Iwamasa to Sangha’s stash house in North Hollywood to buy vials of ketamine.”
Four days prior to Perry’s death, Fleming confirmed with the assistant that ketamine was “on its way to our girl,” referring to Sangha. Fleming pled guilty on August 8 of this year to “one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. In addition, Fleming confessed to distributing up to 50 vials of ketamine. Half of the vials were distributed just four days before Perry’s death.
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