Matthew Perry's longtime friends, former co-stars, and industry colleagues have shared their "heartbreak" at losing such a "brilliant talent" following the news of the actor's death aged 54.
Perry, the actor best known for playing Chandler Bing on the hit NBC sitcom Friends, was found dead at his home on October 28, law enforcement sources told The Los Angeles Times.
Selma Blair, Viola Davis, and Gwyneth Paltrow were among those in Hollywood to pay their respects to Perry following the news of his tragic passing, with many taking to social media platforms to remember the late actor and thank him for the "love" and "laughter" he brought to the world, especially those that knew him.
Blair, who starred as Wendy, a co-worker of Chandler's for one episode of Friends, wrote in a sweet tribute on Instagram, "My oldest boy friend. All of us loved Matthew Perry, and I did especially. Every day. I loved him unconditionally. And he me. And I'm broken. Broken hearted. Sweet dreams Matty. Sweet dreams."
Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis referenced Perry's memoir, "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing", in her Instagram post, writing, "This is devastating. Your book shifted so many close to my heart. The people no one sees and most throwaway. It was a gift. Beyond the joy you brought to many, your heart reigned supreme."
Gwyneth Paltrow recalled the good times she spent with Perry, writing on Instagram, "I met Matthew Perry in 1993 at the Williamstown Theater Festival in Massachusetts. We were both there for most of the summer doing plays. He was so funny and so sweet and so much fun to be with. We drove out to swim in creeks, had beers in the local college bar, kissed in a field of long grass. It was a magical summer."
She remembered that Perry had not long "shot the pilot of Friends, but it had not aired yet," revealing that the actor felt "nervous" as he was hoping for his "big break."
"We stayed friends for a while until we drifted apart, but I was always happy to see him when I did," she said, sharing her hope that "Matthew is at peace at long last."
Perry starred as Chandler Bing alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer during Friends' 10-season run that made it one of the greatest TV shows to ever do it. IGN ranked Friends the 56th-best show of all time, and it was in large part due to Perry and the rest of the cast.
Those who worked with Perry shared fond memories of him. Maggie Wheeler, who starred as Janice, Chandler's on-off romantic interest, posted a photo on Instagram of the two of them together, remembering the "creative moments" they shared on set and the joy her late co-star brought in his "too short lifetime."
Paget Brewster, who portrayed Kathy, a character Chandler dated on Season 4 of Friends, encouraged people to read Perry's book as it was "his legacy to help." While Morgan Fairchild, who starred as Nora Bing, Chandler's mother, echoed the thoughts of many, saying, "the loss of such a brilliant young actor is a shock."
I’m so very sad to hear about @MatthewPerry. He was lovely to me on Friends and every time I saw him in the decades after. Please read his book. It was his legacy to help. He won’t rest in peace though.. He’s already too busy making everyone laugh up there.
— paget brewster (@pagetpaget) October 29, 2023
I’m heartbroken about the untimely death of my “son”, Matthew Perry. The loss of such a brilliant young actor is a shock. I’m sending love & condolences to his friends & family, especially his dad, John Bennett Perry, who I worked with on Flamingo Road & Falcon Crest. #RIPMatthew pic.twitter.com/QWMsBVJEAr
— Morgan Fairchild (@morgfair) October 29, 2023
Friends co-creators/executive producers Marta Kauffman and David Crane and the series' executive producer/director Kevin Bright also issued a joint statement, per Deadline, saying, "We will always cherish the joy, the light, the blinding intelligence he brought to every moment – not just to his work, but in life as well.
"He was always the funniest person in the room. More than that, he was the sweetest, with a giving and selfless heart," the trio continued before finishing their moving tribute with a touching take on Friends' episode titles. "We send all of our love to his family and friends. This truly is The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken."
"We are devastated by the passing of our dear friend Matthew Perry," Warner Bros. TV, the production company behind Friends, shared in a separate statement. "Matthew was an incredibly gifted actor and an indelible part of the Warner Bros. Television Group family. The impact of his comedic genius was felt around the world, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of so many. This is a heartbreaking day, and we send our love to his family, his loved ones, and all of his devoted fans."
Streaming service Max also honoured the late Friends star by adding a tribute card to the start of each season of the sitcom, reading, "In memory of Matthew Perry 1969-2023." While NBC's Saturday Night Live shared a similar tribute before the episode's curtain call on October 28, just hours after news broke that Perry had died.
Max has added a Matthew Perry tribute card to the beginning of each season of “Friends” on the streaming platform. pic.twitter.com/qFOMi1rkXg
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) October 30, 2023
Saturday Night Live acknowledged Matthew Perry's death. pic.twitter.com/94hSdtY5Dz
— Cristy Bodnar (@pookoo_2000) October 29, 2023
Fans of Perry honoured the later actor by placing bouquets of flowers and handwritten messages directly outside the iconic New York building that was used as a façade for the apartment Chandler shared with Joey Tribbiani on Friends.
"We are so sorry no one was there for you. You are so loved and will be missed for generations. Thank you for being our friend," reads one fanmade sign at the scene, per Deadline. "We will never understand what Chandler's job was, but we will know how much joy being in his company brought us," reads another.
Lovely tributes to Matthew Perry at the Friends apartment location in West Village, New York. pic.twitter.com/vvmMJEl0c1
— Chandler Bing Parody (@ChandlerBing_12) October 30, 2023
Perry's family have shared their appreciation for all those paying their respects, telling TMZ, "We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother. Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend. You all meant so much to him, and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love."
Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on X @AdeleAnkers.
Cover image credit: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images.
