Liam Payne and Matthew Perry were 'kindred spirits' who bonded over Batman months before actor's death
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Liam Payne and Matthew Perry shared a deep, secret bond, one rooted in their mutual obsession with Batman.
In the months leading up to Perry's tragic death in October 2023, the two stars had been in contact, finding solace in their shared love of the iconic comic book hero.
Liam Payne and Matthew Perry both struggled with addiction
Both men had struggled with addiction and the pressures of fame and their connection provided a rare moment of understanding between two famous individuals living in the spotlight.
Perry, who died from a drug overdose at age 54, and Payne, who died after a fall from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires nearly a year later, had formed a friendship in secret.
According to a source, they were “kindred spirits” who struggled with the burdens of fame and sought escape through substance use. “They had been friends on the quiet for many months before Matthew's death. They found they were kindred spirits: two men who found it tough to deal with the price of fame and two guys who escaped their demons with the help of drink and drugs,” the source told RadarOnline.
Their conversations often centered around Batman and other superheroes which served as an escape from their troubled lives. “They often chatted online about their shared love for the fantasy world of Batman,” the source said, adding “It hit Liam very hard when Matthew died but he also understood more than most people the type of life he had lived.”
Payne’s obsession with Batman was well known. He had a life-size cutout of the superhero in his room at one point and frequently expressed his admiration for Batman on social media.
Batman as a source of identity and comfort for Liam Payne
In 2013, Liam Payne posted a photo of himself wearing a Batman hat with a caption that read, “For those of you who have doubted me and now turn to hate I’d like to say one thing… I am Batman.” In 2017, he wore a Lego Batman chain and celebrated one of his birthdays with a Batman-themed cake. His connection to Batman was more than just fandom—it was a part of his identity, a source of comfort during difficult times.
The danger in Payne's life was evident long before his tragic death. A photo from 2014 resurfaced showing him dangerously close to the edge of his 34-floor London apartment balcony, a stunt he later regretted.
A chilling image from that night showed Payne standing perilously on the narrow terrace, dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt. This stunt, conducted on the same night as bandmate Zayn Malik’s 21st birthday, raised alarms.
Liam Payne’s apology and a foreshadowed tragedy
Liam Payne later posted an apology on social media, saying, “You may have seen a photo of me today taken on top of a building. I regret being there and having a photo taken.” This moment, captured a decade before his balcony fall, foreshadowed the tragic accident that would ultimately claim his life.
Perry, too, had a lifelong connection to Batman. In the months before his death, he posted several times about the superhero, even referring to himself as "Mattman." Perry’s love for Batman began in childhood and he had a "Batcave" in his home, a personal retreat where he could escape into the world of comics.
In his 2022 memoir, 'Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing', Perry shared how Batman had helped him bond with his father, whom he called his superhero. He recalled saying, “You be Superman and I’ll be Batman” during walks with his father.
