Friends co-stars and family pay heartfelt tribute to late Matthew Perry
The sudden and shocking death of Matthew Perry on Saturday 28 October 2023, best known for his iconic role as Chandler Bing in the beloved TV series Friends, has left the entertainment world and fans in deep mourning. As tributes pour in for the late actor, many are left wondering about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Initial post-mortem results on Perry’s cause of death have been inconclusive, leaving authorities with the difficult task of uncovering the truth. Perry was found unresponsive in a hot tub in his Los Angeles home, prompting a 911 call that captured a small portion of the police response. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office has stated that the official cause of death may take several weeks to determine, as officials await the results of toxicology tests. Notably, there were no apparent signs of trauma.
Perry’s family released a statement to People, expressing their gratitude for the outpouring of love from fans and friends. In the statement, they wrote: “Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend. You all meant so much to him.” As the family grieves, the world mourns the loss of a beloved actor whose wit and charm had endeared him to audiences for years.
Perry’s Friends co-stars and colleagues from the entertainment industry have joined in the collective mourning, sharing heartfelt tributes. Figures such as Maggie Wheeler, known for her role as Janice on Friends, and Morgan Fairchild, who portrayed Chandler’s mom Nora Bing, have fondly remembered their time working with Perry during the show’s successful ten-season run.
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In addition to Perry’s co-stars, other notable personalities from the entertainment world have paid their respects. Selma Blair, Paget Brewster, Adele, Octavia Spencer, and Yvette Nicole Brown, among others, have shared their condolences and cherished memories of their interactions with the beloved actor.
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Co-creators of Friends Marta Kauffman and David Crane, along with executive producer Kevin Bright, released a statement about the tragic loss. “We are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by our beloved friend Matthew’s passing. It still seems impossible. All we can say is that we feel blessed to have had him as part of our lives.”
“He was a brilliant talent,” the statement continued. “It’s a cliche to say that an actor makes a role their own, but in Matthew’s case, there are no truer words. From the day we first heard him embody the role of Chandler Bing, there was no one else for us. 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.”
As fans continue to grapple with the loss of the actor, many have turned to his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, which he released almost exactly a year before his passing. In the memoir, Perry candidly discussed his personal struggles with addiction, shedding light on his journey towards recovery and his passionate advocacy for drug reform.
In a notable 2013 appearance on BBC’s Newsnight, Perry engaged in a spirited and impactful discussion about the challenges of drug addiction and the path to recovery. He fervently emphasised the concept of specialist drug courts, underscoring their effectiveness in aiding former addicts as they strive to rebuild their lives and steer and avoid further encounters with the law.
As authorities press on with their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Perry’s untimely passing, the void left in the hearts of his family, friends, and countless fans may never truly be filled. Perry brought laughter and joy to millions, and one thing is certain: his enduring contributions to the entertainment industry and his passionate advocacy for addiction recovery will be eternally remembered and celebrated.
