Matthew Perry Dies Suddenly at 54; "Friends" Co-Stars Offer Condolences

[Celebrities have offered their condolences to "Friends" star Matthew Perry, who died yesterday in his Los Angeles home in an apparent drowning. He was 54 years old. [Warner Bros. released a photo of Perry from his days on "Friends": "We are devastated by the news of Matthew Perry's passing. We are devastated by the news of Matthew Perry's passing. Our hearts go out to his family, loved ones, and all his fans"

.

On Monday, the five remaining cast members of Perry's Friends released a joint statement, saying, "We are all utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are family. There is so much to say, but right now we want to take some time to grieve and process this unfathomable loss. In time, when we are able, we will have more to say. For now, our thoughts and love are with Matty's family, friends, and all those around the world who love him." The message was signed by Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer.

On Sunday, "Friends" co-creators Marta Kaufman and David Crain and executive producer Kevin Bright said, "We are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by the death of our beloved friend Matthew. It still seems impossible. All we can say is that we feel blessed that he was a part of our lives. He was a great talent. It is a cliché to say that an actor makes a role his own, but in Matthew's case, nothing could be truer. From the day we first heard him embody the role of Chandler Bing, there was no one else for us but him. We will always cherish the joy, light, and dazzling intelligence he brought to any moment, not only in our work, but in our lives. He was always the funniest person in the room. More than that, he was the most kind, giving, and selfless person." The sign was "The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken" in the style of Friends.

Actress Selma Blair called Perry her "oldest boyfriend" on Instagram and wrote, "We all loved Matthew Perry. Every day. I loved him unconditionally. And he me. And I was broken. Heartbroken. A good dream. Good dreams."

Fellow actress Olivia Munn wrote on her Instagram Story, "He struggled so much with addiction and was brave enough to speak openly and honestly. I am so sorry for his family and friends who learned this news today. It is heartbreaking. Rest in peace, Matthew Perry.

Melissa Rivers, a "high school classmate" of Perry's, wrote to X: "So sad. Gone too soon...RIP." Melissa Gilbert shared a photo of Perry and expressed her shock, writing, "No words." Rosie O'Donnell posted the cover of Perry's 2022 memoir and wrote, "Too hard."

Maggie Wheeler, who famously played Janice on "Friends" with Perry, shared a photo of her appearance on the show and wrote, "What a loss. The world will miss Matthew Perry. The joy you brought to so many in your all too short life will live on. I feel so blessed by every creative moment we shared." Paget Brewster, who had a bit part in Friends, said, "I am so sad to hear about Matthew Perry. He was a wonderful person in Friends and every time I saw him in the decades that followed. Read his books. That was his legacy. But he will not rest in peace. He is already too busy making everyone laugh over there."

Actress Mira Sorvino said, "Oh my God. Matthew Perry. My dear, troubled soul. May you find peace and happiness in heaven and may you make everyone laugh with your extraordinary wit." Octavia Spencer added, "I am incredibly sad to hear that Matthew Perry passed away today. His gift to the world will be remembered forever. We send our love to Matthew's family, friends, co-stars, and millions of fans around the world." Yvette Nicole Brown added that Perry "was a lover who deserved more peace in this world," and Shannen Doherty, Perry's co-star in "Beverly Hills 90210," spoke of her "lifelong" friendship with Perry in a touching Instagram post: "We've been We've been buddies for a long time. 'We've been gangsters for a long, long time. Matt, Roger, David, and Roxana. Matt, Roger, David, and Roxana. ...... We all went to Formosa North together and always laughed. We always had fun and supported each other. We always got together in the booth and talked in our own language. Yes, Matt always had a sense of humor."

Doherty also revealed that the two dated before becoming lifelong friends. 'Matt and I had a date, and it was Valentine's Day. He wanted to get a reservation at a restaurant in Malibu, but he couldn't, so my dad got one for him. He wanted to get a reservation at a restaurant in Malibu, but couldn't, so my dad made one for him. Our friendship lasted a long time. A lifetime, really. I know a lot of people are hurting. He will be missed by many and definitely by us. I agree. I could be more poetic and say things better, but right now shock and sadness prevail."

[3

Rumer Willis, whose father Bruce Willis co-starred with Perry in the film Whole Nine Yards, said, "When I was a kid on set when he and my father were doing Whole Nine and Whole Ten Yards, he was so sweet and funny and kind to my sisters and me and his physical physical comedy and that movie still makes me laugh so much, I think," he wrote. I know he had many challenges in his life, but he brought so much joy to people with his comedy. ...... May he rest in peace."

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a classmate of Perry's, said, "Matthew Perry's death is shocking and sad. I will never forget the schoolyard games we used to play and the joy the world will never forget the joy he brought to us. Thanks for the laughs, Matthew. You were loved.

Actress Alyssa Milano said, "Matty was always the funniest person in the room. And the kindest. He was kind. Matty, remember when we went to the church in the valley to play bingo? Crying and laughing. Laughter you made me cry.

News of Perry's untimely death broke shortly before the recording of Saturday Night Live began, and the program paid tribute to Perry, who hosted the show in 1997. The show honored Perry with his name appearing as the title card along with a black and white portrait of Perry. Adele also paid tribute to Perry last night on stage at the Las Vegas residency, saying of the actor. 'It's always such a shock, especially when someone who made you laugh and brought so much joy into your life has passed away without your knowledge. This is what I find so strange. I never met him. Especially because I don't know what was going on."

She then dedicated "When We Were Young" to Perry.

In her own tribute, Gwyneth Paltrow revealed her relationship with Perry, writing on Instagram, "I met Matthew Perry in 1993 at the Williamstown Theater Festival in Massachusetts. We spent most of our summers doing plays there. He was so funny, kind, and a lot of fun to be with. We swam in the creek, drank beer at the local college bar, and kissed in the long grass. It was a magical summer. He filmed the pilot for Friends, which had not yet aired. He was nervous, anticipating that his break was just around the corner. It was. We remained friends for a while until we became estranged, but I was always happy to see him."

[17

Paltrow concluded his post, "Like many of us, I am super sad today. I hope Matthew is finally at peace. I really do."

.