Matthew Perry's death: As Kenny Iwamasa faces jail time, PAs reveal the dark side of celebrity care |

The tragic death of actor Matthew Perry has brought to light the often unseen and morally complex world of celebrity assistants. Perry's personal assistant reportedly died on October 28 last year. Kenny Iwamasainjected him with ketamine, a request that Matthew himself reportedly made. This tragic incident underscores the extreme and sometimes illegal demands placed on the role of personal assistant to stars. Kenny Iwamasa, who now faces up to 15 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute ketamine, has become a stark example of the ethical and legal dilemmas that Celebrity Assistants can find each other again.
During his interrogation, Iwamasa revealed that Perry's last words to him were harrowing: “Shoot me a big one.” Those words and the actions that followed highlight a disturbing aspect of the assistant role – where saying “no” can feel impossible. Merryl Futerman, a former personal assistant to celebrities and author of “Don't Make a Scene: Struggles of a Celebrity PA,” is sympathetic to Iwamasa's situation. In an interview with the New York Post, Futerman said, “It's heartbreaking on many levels, but I also recognize that the role of personal assistant is a gray area. That concerns what you can and can't do, and how hard it can be to say no.”

That sentiment is shared by a veteran Hollywood boss who acknowledged the power imbalance between celebrities and their assistants. “You can't say no. If Matthew Perry tells you he needs a boost, you get it. He helped him get what gets him through the day. Now the least powerful person” – one without access to the expensive lawyers and PR people who can protect celebrities – “has been arrested and found guilty.”

Kenny Iwamasa’s LinkedIn profile describes him as “discreet, loyal and honorable[ing] absolute confidentiality,” qualities that are likely to be valued in the hectic world of celebrity assistance. However, this discretion often comes at a high price, leading assistants into morally questionable and legally dangerous territory.
Glamour meets guilt: The reality of the job
The life of a star's assistant is often portrayed as glamorous, with perks such as luxury travel and access to high-profile events. But as many in the industry will attest, the reality is much more complex. One former assistant recounted that working for a Hollywood star means being close to the glitz, but also taking on tasks that range from the mundane to the morally questionable. One top producer noted, “It's very hard. And sometimes [the celebrity] is abusive. You either have to accept it or look for another job.”
Rowena Chiu recounted her own harrowing experience with Harvey Weinstein, who allegedly attempted to rape her and later banned her from the industry, in a New York Times op-ed. Her story is just one example of the many ethical and personal challenges that assistants in the entertainment industry can face.

Despite high salaries and luxurious perks, many assistants find that their personal lives are overshadowed by the demands of their bosses. Bonnie Low-Kramen, a former assistant who had a positive experience working with Olympia Dukakis, stresses the importance of setting ethical boundaries early on. She advises, “Assistants can set the tone right from the interview stage. Talk about discretion and mutual respect.” But she also acknowledges that some celebrities test those boundaries by asking intrusive or unethical questions during the hiring process, basically just probing how far the assistant would go in the name of loyalty.