Gwyneth Paltrow’s devastating tribute to ex-boyfriend Matthew Perry after his sudden death

Gwyneth Paltrow has recalled a “magical summer” she shared with the late actor when they briefly dated in 1994 before they both became famous.

Gwyneth Paltrow's tribute to Matthew Perry

Gwyneth Paltrow has shared a beautiful tribute to her ex-boyfriend Matthew Perry following his tragic death on the weekend, aged 54.

Along with many heartbroken Hollywood stars showing their respects to the Friends actor following his sudden death on Saturday, Paltrow has expressed her sorrow over the sad news.

“I met Matthew Perry in 1993 at the Williamstown Theater Festival in Massachusetts. We were both there for most of the summer doing plays,” she began in her tribute posted to Instagram alongside a photo of Perry.

“He was so funny and so sweet and so much fun to be with. We drove out to swim in creeks, had beers in the local college bar, kissed in a field of long grass. It was a magical summer.”

The couple dated that following year in 1994, but remained friends after their brief relationship, which blossomed before they were both famous.

Gwyneth Paltrow dated Matthew Perry in 1994 before they were famous. Picture: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

Matthew Perry was found dead at his LA home on Saturday, US local time. Picture: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images

“He had shot the pilot of Friends but it had not aired yet. He was nervous, hoping his big break was just around the corner. It was,” she continued.

“We stayed friends for a while until we drifted apart, but I was always happy to see him when I did. I am super sad today, as so many of us are. I hope Matthew is at peace at long last. I really do.”

In his memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, released just last year, Perry also reflected on his romance with Paltrow, in particular, their first kiss.

“At some big party we slipped off into a broom cupboard and made out,” he said. “We were both still unknown enough that it didn’t make it to the tabloids.”

Matthew Perry's memoir was released last year.

Perry again touched on their relationship in an interview with GQ to promote his memoir. Speaking to the magazine, the actor said he was worried what Paltrow would think of being mentioned in the book.

“Hopefully, she’ll find it to be a cute story,” he said in the October 2022 interview. “It’d be bad if Gwyneth Paltrow hated me; I wouldn’t like that.”

Paltrow’s tribute comes hours after Perry’s family released a statement after his shock death, saying they are “heartbroken” by the loss of the beloved star.

The cast of TV program Friends: Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston and Matthew Perry.

“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother,” a spokesperson for Perry’s family told People. “Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend.”

“You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.”

Perry, who was best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the sitcom Friends, died on Saturday aged 54. He was found dead at his Los Angeles home by law enforcement, as reported by TMZ.

The outlet reported that Perry was found in a jacuzzi at the home, and no illegal drugs were found at the scene but several prescription drugs were on the premises.

“Authorities found antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs and a COPD drug in the house,” the publication claims.