With the heartbreaking news of Matthew Perry’s passing at his home on Saturday, tributes have been pouring in from all over the world. One of the most simple yet profoundly moving tributes comes from the team behind the iconic sitcom, Friends, a show that defined an era and launched Perry and his fellow castmates into stardom.
Sharing a photo of Perry on their official Instagram account, the Friends team posted a heartfelt message:
“We are devastated to learn of Matthew Perry’s passing. He was a true gift to us all. Our hearts go out to his family, loved ones, and all of his fans.”
Meanwhile, Maggie Wheeler, Perry’s co-star who played Janice Hosenstein, Chandler Bing’s on-off romantic interest known for her infamous “Oh my god” squeal, expressed her sadness at Perry’s death:
“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.”
The actor was found dead in his hot tub at his Los Angeles home on Saturday, with reports suggesting that first responders were called to “a water emergency” in the late afternoon. Perry had apparently been playing pickleball before relaxing in his jacuzzi. Just a few days prior, he had posted a picture of himself in the same spot, headphones on, enjoying the view of the Hollywood hills, radiating an idyllic atmosphere.
Perry’s portrayal of Chandler Bing in ten seasons of Friends made him a household name alongside his co-stars David Schwimmer, Matt Le Blanc, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, and Lisa Kudrow. However, Perry’s memoir, released last year, shed light on the personal struggles he faced during the filming of the series.
A jet-ski accident in 1997 triggered an addiction to painkillers, which eventually led to a cycle of dependencies. In his memoir, Perry revealed that he had been sober since 2001, except for “60 or 70 relapses.” While focusing on his own sobriety, he became a vocal advocate for compassion and understanding towards drug offenders and even established his own sober living home, The Perry House, in Malibu.
