Skip to main content

Friends icon Matthew Perry died in October 2023. According to toxicology reports from Los Angeles County, the star died from acute effects of ketamine with “drowning, coronary artery disease, and buprenorphine effects” as contributing factors. Five people were charged in connection with Perry’s death in August 2024, and one of them was his personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa. How much did Iwamasa earn as Perry’s personal assistant? Here’s an estimate.

How much money did Kenneth Iwamasa earn as Matthew Perry’s personal assistant? Here’s an estimate

Matthew Perry’s personal live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, is under fire. He was arrested and charged in August 2024 in connection with Matthew Perry’s death. According to a press release from the Department of Justice, Iwamasa “admitted to repeatedly injecting Perry with ketamine without medical training.” He pleaded guilty and could face 15 years in prison.

According to Iwamasa’s LinkedIn, he worked for Perry for over 25 years. “I thrive in chaotic situations which call for order,” he wrote, according to Page Six. “I am discreet, loyal, and honor absolute confidentiality.”

So, how much did Iwamasa earn as Perry’s personal assistant? It seems likely that Iwamasa earned a higher-range salary for celebrity assistants: $80,000 to $150,000 annually. A midrange celebrity assistant salary stands around $40,000 to $80,000 annually, while an entry-level position likely brings in less than $40,000 annually.

Because Perry lived in the Pacific Palisades, one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Los Angeles, he might’ve paid Iwamasa even more. Iwasama has not publicly stated his salary.

Iwamasa likely helped the star make travel arrangements, set up meetings, keep a daily schedule, manage social media and emails, run errands, and manage all communications.

Matthew Perry’s friends and family are ‘saddened’ by Kenneth Iwamasa’s arrest

A source close to Matthew Perry told Us Weekly that his friends and family feel “blindsided” and “saddened” by Kenneth Iwamasa’s arrest. The insider also alleged that Iwamasa only worked for Perry for a few years before Perry’s death, which goes against what the assistant’s LinkedIn states. Iwamasa allegedly started working for Perry after initially working for Perry’s manager, Doug Chapin. Perry’s family considered Iwamasa a “great fit” because of his previous work for Chapin.

“Matthew kept secrets,” the insider alleged. “I wouldn’t be shocked if Kenny was the only one who knew how bad it really was.”

The source added that “it was already chaotic” when Iwamasa got the job as a personal assistant for the actor. “Matthew wasn’t actually sober,” they continued. “He had been going in and out of sobriety. And multiple people were helping to take care of him. Kenny knew the situation and could deal with Matthew.”

“When Matthew’s [previous] assistant left, they didn’t hire a new one for a while,” the insider continued. “Matthew wasn’t acting at the time, so someone was needed only to handle his life and around the house.”

Five people were charged in connection with the actor’s death

U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, Martin Estrada, speaks during a press conference on Aug. 15, 2024, announcing arrests in the death of 'Friends' actor Matthew Perry. He stands at a podium surrounded by others.
U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, Martin Estrada, speaks during a press conference on Aug. 15, 2024, announcing arrests in the death of ‘Friends’ actor Matthew Perry | Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
Related

‘Friends’ Director Reveals Losing Matthew Perry Is ‘Like a Brother Dying’ for ‘Destroyed’ Castmates

Jasveen Sangha, allegedly known as “The Ketamine Queen,” and Dr. Salvador Plasencia are the lead defendants in the case. Others arrested and charged include Dr. Mark Chavez, who admitted to selling ketamine to Plasencia, and Eric Fleming, who admitted to distributing the ketamine that killed Perry. And, of course, Kenneth Iwamasa.

According to court documents, the events leading to Perry’s death in October 2023 began with Dr. Salvador Plasencia. He learned that Perry wanted ketamine, so he reached out to Dr. Mark Chavez, the past owner of a ketamine clinic. Plasencia attained the drug and instructed Iwamasa on how to inject Perry with the drug.

Iwasama later sought out additional ketamine from Eric Fleming, Perry’s acquaintance. Fleming reached out to Jasveen Sangha, a dealer allegedly known as “The Ketamine Queen.” Fleming attained the drug through her and sold it to Iwasama. Iwasama injected Perry with at least three shots of ketamine on Oct. 28, 2023. Perry died in his pool later that day.

Elements of this article were originally reported by NBC News and Pocketbook Agency.

Best in Entertainment