Grieving the Loss of Matthew Perry: A Tribute from ‘Friends’ Guest Stars
'Friends' guest stars, including Selma Blair and Paget Brewster, join a heartfelt tribute to Matthew Perry after his sudden death at 54 A star-studded list of actors mourns the loss of the beloved 'Friends' actor
Following Matthew Perry's death from an apparent drowning, guest stars from Friends are reflecting on his legacy. The actor, aged 54, passed away on Saturday, October 30, after police received a call regarding someone in cardiac arrest at a residence in Los Angeles. Perry was discovered unconscious in a jacuzzi, and although there were no indications of foul play, detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
Perry's family expressed their profound sadness over the loss in a statement, acknowledging the immense impact Matthew had as both an actor and a friend. They expressed gratitude for the overwhelming love and support from everyone. Prior to his passing, Perry delivered unforgettable performances in notable films like Fools Rush In, Three to Tango, The Whole Nine Yards, Serving Sara, and 17 Again. His witty humor also left an indelible mark on television projects such as Ally McBeal, The West Wing, Mr. Sunshine, Go On, and The Odd Couple.
Perry's most prominent role was as Chandler Bing on the popular television show Friends. The sitcom, which aired from 1994 to 2004, revolved around a close-knit group of friends living in New York City and featured a talented cast including Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer.
Following his passing, Marta Kauffman and David Crane, the co-creators of the show, honored Perry with heartfelt tributes.
"We were shocked and profoundly saddened by the passing of our dear friend Matthew. It's hard to believe that he's gone. All we can express is how fortunate we feel to have had him in our lives," read the joint statement from the executive producer Kevin Bright and them on Sunday, October 29. "He possessed an extraordinary talent. To say that he made each role his own would be a cliche, but in Matthew's case, there are no words more fitting."
Continue reading for heartfelt tributes to Perry from guest stars of Friends:
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'Friends' Guest Stars Honor Matthew Perry After His Sudden Death: From Selma Blair to Aisha Taylor
Friends guest stars are reflecting on Matthew Perry's legacy following his death from an apparent drowning.
The actor passed away at the age of 54 on Saturday, October 30, after police were called to a Los Angeles residence for a report of someone experiencing cardiac arrest. Perry was discovered unconscious in a jacuzzi, and although no evidence of foul play was found, detectives are currently conducting an investigation into his untimely death.
Expressing their profound sadness, Perry's family issued a statement stating their devastation. "We are heartbroken by the loss of Matthew. He brought immense joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend. Your support and love mean the world to us," the statement conveyed.
Perry showcased his talent in a variety of movies such as Fools Rush In, Three to Tango, The Whole Nine Yards, Serving Sara, and 17 Again prior to his passing. Furthermore, he left a lasting impression with his humor in notable television projects including Ally McBeal, The West Wing, Mr. Sunshine, Go On, and The Odd Couple.
However, Perry gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Chandler Bing on the beloved sitcom Friends. Running from 1994 to 2004, the show revolves around a group of friends living in New York City and features Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer in the lead roles.
After Perry's death, Marta Kauffman and David Crane, the co-creators, expressed their shock and profound sadness. In a joint statement with executive producer Kevin Bright on Sunday, October 29, they mentioned feeling incredibly fortunate to have had Perry as a cherished friend. They also acknowledged his immense talent and emphasized that his portrayal of his character was truly unforgettable.
Scroll on for tributes to Perry from Friends guest stars:
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Maggie Wheeler
The world will mourn the loss of Matthew Perry, who brought so much joy during his too-short lifetime. Janice, the actress who portrayed Chandler's on-and-off girlfriend, expressed her gratitude for the creative moments they shared, as she posted a heartfelt photo of her and Perry on Instagram. May his memory continue to bring happiness to many.
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Aisha Tyler
In season 9, Tyler became a part of the cast, portraying the character of Charlie, Ross' (Schwimmer) girlfriend. In her reflection, she emphasized the remarkable gentleness and generosity of spirit possessed by Perry on set. She expressed her admiration for his comedic skills, noting that she learned the art of delivering a joke perfectly just by observing him work. The memory of Perry leaning in on her first night of taping Friends, warmly uttering the words, "get ready for your life to change," will forever be etched in her mind. Matthew Perry, may you find eternal rest. We extend our gratitude for your kindness and the laughter you brought. 🫶
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Elliott Gould
Over the show's decade-long run, Gould made several appearances as Monica's (Cox) dad and subsequently became Chandler’s father-in-law.
"I was introduced to Matthew in 1994 when I became a part of the NBC sitcom Friends. Matthew possessed qualities of kindness, thoughtfulness, intelligence, humor, and undeniable talent as an actor. In an Instagram photo featuring both of us from the show, Gould described how Matthew expressed his gratitude in working alongside me. Little did he know, I revealed to him that it was an honor for me to portray his father-in-law. My deepest sympathies go out to his incredible family. While he will be deeply missed by many, his memory will endure forever."
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Christina Ricci
The Wednesday star shared an emotional tribute after guest starring on the Friends spinoff, Joey.
"I was overwhelmed with emotion upon reading today's news. Although I never had the privilege of meeting Matthew Perry, my admiration for him knew no bounds. The television show Friends served as a lifeline for me during difficult and lonely periods throughout my life. Chandler Bing, portrayed by Perry, captivated me to the extent that I even fantasized about marrying him during my teenage years," conveyed Ricci, known for her role as one of Joey's (LeBlanc) sisters, via Instagram. "I diligently watched all of his films and considered him a true genius. As a testament to my dedication, I downloaded his book and eagerly devoured it during my recent cross country flight. It devastates me to learn that this remarkable man endured such immense pain while selflessly sharing his talents with us. I implore you all to read his book, as it is yet another valuable gift he bestowed upon us. For those grappling with addiction, it may just serve as a lifeline. May Matthew Perry finally find the peace he so deserves."
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Kathleen Turner
Turner, who portrayed one of Chandler's parents, shared fond memories of Perry. "I really liked him," she expressed to People. "He had a great sense of humor and a kind heart. His genuine admiration for others, particularly as an actor, was incredibly significant to me."
Recalling moments after Friends concluded, the actress mentioned how Perry made it a point to attend and show his support for her Broadway performances. She fondly recounted, "When he spotted me, he enthusiastically called out, 'Hey, Dad,' which everyone found quite impressive."
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Hank Azaria
When I first moved to Los Angeles, Matthew was the very first friend I made. I was 21 years old at the time, while he was just 16. In an Instagram video, Azaria, who portrayed Phoebe's (Kudrow) ex-boyfriend David, shared that Matthew and he formed an incredibly close bond, almost like brothers, for a significant period. They spent a lot of time together, enjoying drinks and sharing laughter, supporting each other during the early stages of their careers. Azaria expressed his deep affection for Matthew, stating that he truly loved him.
The actor noted that Perry — who was candid about his own history with addiction — was by Azaria's side during his first Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
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Paget Brewster
The actor from Criminal Minds, who played the role of Kathy, Chandler's love interest, expressed their grief for Perry on X, stating, "I'm deeply saddened to hear about @MatthewPerry. He was kind to me during our time on Friends, and every time I saw him in the years that followed. I urge you to read his book, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, as it was his contribution to making a difference. Resting in peace isn't for him though... he's already busy making everyone laugh up there."
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Morgan Fairchild
Fairchild, who portrayed Chandler’s mother on the classic sitcom Friends, expressed her profound sadness over the unexpected passing of Matthew Perry. She described the loss of this exceptionally talented young actor as nothing short of a shock. Fairchild took the opportunity to extend her love and condolences to Perry's friends and family, particularly his father, John Bennett Perry, whom she had collaborated with on the TV series Flamingo Road and Falcon Crest. Finally, she concluded her message with the hashtag #RIPMatthew.
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Selma Blair
"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," she captioned an Instagram selfie of them.
