Maggie Wheeler Remembers Matthew Perry: Grateful for Our Creative Journey Together
Maggie Wheeler honors the memory of her dear co-star Matthew Perry, expressing gratitude for the cherished creative moments they shared together on the iconic show 'Friends'
Maggie Wheeler, known for her role in Friends, expressed her grief over the passing of her former co-star, Matthew Perry. In an Instagram post on Saturday, October 28, the 62-year-old actress shared a nostalgic picture of them filming the iconic series. Wheeler honored Perry's memory, acknowledging the happiness he brought to countless lives during his tragically brief existence. She also expressed gratitude for the numerous creative experiences they had together.
Perry passed away at the age of 54, as news emerged on Saturday. Law enforcement authorities were called to the actor's residence in California, where they discovered Perry unconscious in a jacuzzi. The cause of death has yet to be determined, as police officers are presently conducting an investigation, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Despite our request for comment, representatives for Perry have not yet responded. The L.A. coroner's office spokesperson has stated that they have not definitively identified an individual by that name at the moment.
Perry gained popularity for his portrayal of the witty Chandler Bing on NBC's Friends, a beloved sitcom that aired for 10 seasons starting in 1994. During the earlier seasons, Chandler had an on-again, off-again relationship with Janice, played by Wheeler. However, Chandler eventually ended things with Janice by concocting the excuse of moving to Yemen.
Matthew Perry played the role of Chandler Bing, while Maggie Wheeler portrayed Janice Hosenstein in the popular TV series 'Friends.' Alongside Perry and Wheeler, the show also featured Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer. It's worth noting that Wheeler appeared as a recurring guest star in the series.
"The cast formed a tight-knit family, always there for each other without hesitation," Wheeler revealed to We magazine in January. "They experienced immense fame together."
As Friends soared in popularity and catapulted its actors to fame, Perry battled with addiction privately. He sought treatment for his addiction twice, initially in 1997 and then again in 2001.
"He has experienced incredibly dark and unimaginably painful challenges, yet he has persevered and demonstrated tremendous resilience by not only surviving, but also by openly sharing his story with the world," Wheeler shared with Us. She praised Perry for his courageous and remarkable decision to recount his experiences in his memoir, "Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing," set to be published in 2022. "I strongly believe that his bravery and exceptional act of sharing will undoubtedly provide immense support and solace to countless individuals," she added.
Reflecting on her personal experience, she stated, "Having personally witnessed the devastating consequences of drug addiction through the loss of my own brother, I can empathize with the arduous and challenging journey it entails. I am incredibly proud of Matthew and his unwavering determination to fight for his own life."
After completing Perry's book, Wheeler expressed feeling honored to have read it and gained insight into his experiences. She mentioned her intention to write to him and express her deep admiration.
