ENTERTAINMENT
How have Matthew Perry’s Friends co-stars reacted to his death at 54?
Tributes have begun pouring in for Perry, who rose to fame as Chandler Bing in the successful 1990s sitcom Friends.
The entertainment industry is in mourning following the news that actor Matthew Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the hit US sitcom Friends, has died at the age of 54.
The celebrity news outlet TMZ, which first reported Perry’s death, says he was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home on Saturday morning.
Per TMZ, Perry arrived home after playing pickelball, before sending his assistant out on an errand shortly afterwards. When the assistant returned, around two hours later, he discovered the actor unconscious and called 911.
Warner Bros “devastated” at Perry death
Warner Bros TV, which produced Friends, said in a statement: “We are devastated to learn of Matthew Perry’s passing. He was a true gift to us all. Our heart goes out to his family, loved ones, and all of his fans.”
At the time of writing, Perry’s co-leads on the sitcom - Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer - had not yet offered any public comment on his death.
However, other actors who appeared in the comedy, which ran for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004, have reacted to the news.
Wheeler: “What a loss”
Paget Brewster, who played Chandler’s brief season-four girlfriend Kathy, posted on the social-media platform X: “I’m so very sad to hear about Matthew Perry. He was lovely to me on Friends and every time I saw him in the decades after.
“Please read his book [Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir]. It was his legacy to help.
“He won’t rest in peace though.. He’s already too busy making everyone laugh up there.”
Maggie Wheeler, who starred as Chandler’s on-off love interest Janice, wrote on Instagram: “What a loss. The world will miss you Matthew Perry. The joy you brought to so many in your too short lifetime will live on. I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared.”
Fairchild “heartbroken” over Perry news
Morgan Fairchild, who was Perry’s screen mother in friends, posted on X: “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.”