Friends cast members pay tribute to Matthew Perry after sudden death at 54
One of the recurring stars of Friends has led tributes to Matthew Perry in a teary video posted to social media, saying, “We lost him a long time ago”.
Friends cast and crew have been paying tribute to actor Matthew Perry following his sudden death aged 54.
Leading the outpouring of grief was recurring star Hank Azaria, who played Phoebe Buffay’s on-and-off love interest David in the NBC sitcom.
Azaria, 59, posted a lengthy video on Instagram, sharing he’d been friends with Perry since the late actor was just 16, when they worked on a pilot series together in LA.
“Matthew and I became really good friends and we were really more like brothers for a long time. We drank a lot together, we laughed a lot together, we were there for each other in the early days of our career,” a teary Azaria said.
“He was, to me, as funny as he was on Friends. And other things too. In person, he was just the funniest man ever. He just lived to laugh. He was a genius.
“I really loved him. A lot of us who were close to him felt like we lost him to drugs and alcohol a long time ago because — as he documented in his autobiography — there was so much suffering.”
Azaria is best known for voicing multiple characters on The Simpsons, including Moe, Apu and Chief Wiggum.
The star went on to say, despite Perry’s own struggle with substance abuse, the Friends actor leapt to his side when Azaria needed help with alcohol addiction.
“I’m a sober guy for 17 years, and I wanna say that, the night I went into AA [Alcoholics Anonymous], Matthew brought me in,” Azaria said.
“The whole first year I was sober, we went to meetings together. He was so caring and giving and wise. And he totally helped me get sober. And I really wish he could’ve, you know, found the – found it in himself to stay with the silver life more consistently.”
He continued: “But it’s heartbreaking, for those of us who loved him and knew him really well, personally. We just missed him. We just missed him. It’s one of the terrible things about this disease, is it just takes away the person you love.”
It comes after the beloved actor was reportedly found dead at his home the Los Angeles area in an apparent drowning accident on Saturday, local time.
According to TMZ, emergency services rushed to the address following a call, which was first reported as a cardiac arrest.
The publication added that no drugs were found at the scene and no foul play is suspected.
The official Friends social media account confirmed fans’ worst fears by paying respect to the man who brought the fan favourite Chandler Bing to life.
In posts to Instagram and Twitter, the account wrote: “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.”
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. pic.twitter.com/Xv6HkpSEBl
— FRIENDS (@FriendsTV) October 29, 2023
Friends creators Marta Kauffman, David Crane and Kevin Bright issued their own heartbreaking statement on Monday.
“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,” they wrote in the joint message.
“He was a brilliant talent. 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.”
The team finished up their statement with a devastating nod to the series’ iconic episode titles, signing off: “The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken.”
Perry’s leading co-stars, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc, are yet to comment.
Shortly after news broke of Perry’s death, Warner Bros. also issued a statement about the beloved star.
“We are devastated by the passing of our dear friend Matthew Perry. Matthew was an incredibly gifted actor and an indelible part of the Warner Bros. Television Group family,” it read.
“The impact of his comedic genius was felt around the world, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of so many. This is a heartbreaking day, and we send our love to his family, his loved ones, and all of his devoted fans.”
Many Friends guest stars have paid their respects, with Maggie Wheeler, who played Janice Hosenstein, taking to social media shortly after the news was made public.
“What a loss. The world will miss you Matthew Perry,” she wrote.
“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.”
Fellow Friends castmate Morgan Fairchild, who played Perry’s on-screen mother in the sitcom, said she was also “heartbroken” by the news of his sudden death.
“I’m heartbroken about the untimely death of my “son”, Matthew Perry. The loss of such a brilliant young actor is a shock,” she wrote on X.
Fairchild sent condolences to Perry’s loved ones, singling out his real-life father, actor John Bennett Perry who she “worked with on Flamingo Road and Falcon Crest”.
I’m heartbroken about the untimely death of my “sonâ€, 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. #RIPMatthewpic.twitter.com/QWMsBVJEAr
— Morgan Fairchild (@morgfair) October 29, 2023
Paget Brewster, who had a six episode arc on the show as Chandler’s love interest, Kathy, urged her followers to read his best-selling book Friends, Lovers, And The Big Terrible Thing, which she described as his “legacy to help”.
“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,” she wrote.
“He won’t rest in peace though. He’s already too busy making everyone laugh up there.”
I’m so very sad to hear about @MatthewPerry. He was lovely to me on Friends and every time I saw him in the decades after. Please read his book. It was his legacy to help. He won’t rest in peace though.. He’s already too busy making everyone laugh up there.
— paget brewster (@pagetpaget) October 29, 2023
Meanwhile Jimmy Burrows, who directed 15 episodes of Friends posted a picture of himself and Perry to social media and wrote: “Nobody did it better”.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau added a tribute on X, thanking Perry for bringing joy to so many.
“Matthew Perry’s passing is shocking and saddening. I’ll never forget the schoolyard games we used to play, and I know people around the world are never going to forget the joy he brought them,”Mr Trudeau wrote.
“Thanks for all the laughs, Matthew. You were loved – and you will be missed.”
Matthew Perry’s passing is shocking and saddening. I’ll never forget the schoolyard games we used to play, and I know people around the world are never going to forget the joy he brought them. Thanks for all the laughs, Matthew. You were loved – and you will be missed.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) October 29, 2023
Cruel Intentions actor Selma Blair also shared her heartbreak over the news of Perry’s death, sharing a selfie of her “oldest boy friend”.
Blair told her followers she “loved him unconditionally” and was “broken” by the news.
“All of us loved Matthew Perry, and I did especially. Every day. I loved him unconditionally. And he me. And I’m broken. Broken hearted. Sweet dreams Matty. Sweet dreams,” she captioned the image.
A number of stars commented below Blair’s post, sharing in her sadness including fellow sitcom actor Debra Messing, Hollywood gossip blogger Perez Hilton, actor Rosario Dawson, and Aussie comedian Celeste Barber.
Barber commented she was “so sad” to hear about Perry’s death and in a tribute of her own, posted to her Instagram stories, she wrote the news made her “feel sick”.
Meanwhile, Mira Sorvino, who starred in the 1994 TV movie Parallel Lives alongside Perry, reacted to the news on X.
“Oh no!!! Matthew Perry!! You sweet, troubled soul!! May you find peace and happiness in Heaven, making everyone laugh with your singular wit!!!”
Rumer Willis also added to the condolences, and in her tribute recalled how Perry’s kindness to her and her siblings when they visited the set of her father Bruce Willis’ 2000 film The Whole Nine Yards – which he co-starred in.
She said Perry was “so kind and funny and sweet” to her as a kid and that his “physical comedy … still makes me laugh so much”.
“I know he had many challenges in his life and brought a lot of joy to people with his comedy,” Willis continued.
“I hope he can rest peacefully.”
Actress Olivia Munn posted her shock over the news to her Instagram stories, sharing images of the Friends actor with an emoji of a broken heart and the words: “Oh no.”
“He struggled so much with addiction and was brave enough to be open and honest about it,” she wrote in a second story.
“I’m so sorry to his family and friends who are getting this news today. Nothing short of heartbreaking. Rest in love, Matthew Perry.”
Hidden Figures star Octavia Spencer wrote: “I’m incredibly saddened to hear of Matthew Perry’s passing today. His gift to the world will be remembered forever. Sending love to Matthew’s family, friends, co-stars and millions of fans around the world.”
Academy Award winner Viola Davis wrote: “This is devastating. Your book shifted so many close to my heart. The people no one sees and most throwaway. It was a gift. Beyond the joy you brought to many, your heart reigned supreme. Rest well ...know that you brought love.”
90210 actor Shannen Doherty posted a lengthy tribute to her long-time friend, saying she grew up “constantly laughing” with him.
“We played dare and Matt had to say ridiculous things to girls at the bar. We just always had fun and supported each other,” she wrote.
“You would always find us all together in a booth speaking in our own made up language. And yes, Matt always had THAT sense of humour.”
Doherty’s post continued: “Our friendship spanned a long time. A lifetime really. I know many are hurting, especially our little gang. He will be missed by many and definitely by us.
“I could be more poetic or say things better but right now, shock and sadness prevail.”
Meredith Salenger, who starred in A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon with Perry, wrote she knew him since they were 16, but had “no words” after his death.
Oh no no no no no! Matty!
— Meredith Salenger (@MeredthSalenger) October 29, 2023
Oh man. My heart breaks. Matty...
Matthew and I have known each other since were were 16 years old. Oh man. No words. Rest in peace sweet @MatthewPerry. 💔😔 pic.twitter.com/yDvKcyorR8
Actress Yvette Nicole Brown, who starred in The Odd Couple with Perry wrote the sitcom family “suffered a great loss today”.
“The entire entertainment world has. I am too sad about the news to say more than this: (Perry) was a sweetheart who deserved more peace in this life. 54 is too young to go. We love you, Matty!”
Our #OddCouple family suffered a great loss today. The entire entertainment world has. I am too sad about the news to say more than this: @mattyperry4 was a sweetheart who deserved more peace in this life. 54 is too young to go. We love you, Matty! #RIPMatthewPerry 💔 pic.twitter.com/oUG7UQAHDz
— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) October 29, 2023
Shortly after news broke of his death, a longtime friend of Perry’s told the Daily Mail that his inner circle was in “a total state of shock”.
“People are crying on the phone and struggling to accept this news,” the source said.
“It’s no secret that he struggled with drugs and alcohol for years but the last time I spoke to him, which was within the last few weeks, he seemed to be in a good place.
“He was upbeat and sounded sober and positive.
“He’d been to rehab 17 times and nearly died from opioid abuse but he was someone who was sincere about taking his life, and his sobriety, one day at a time.
“It’s such tragic news. Everyone is praying he didn’t relapse. Matt was a genuinely lovely guy.
“We are all struggling to come to terms with this terrible news.”
British broadcaster Piers Morgan also reacted to the shock death, writing on X (formerly known as Twitter) that Perry was a “great actor, but by his own admission, a very tormented guy.”
“His recent autobiography about his addiction-ravaged life was one of the most powerful, honest and revealing I’ve ever read. Such sad news,” Morgan wrote.
RIP Matthew Perry, 54.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 29, 2023
The Friends star was a great actor, but by his own admission, a very tormented guy. His recent autobiography about his addiction-ravaged life was one of the most powerful, honest and revealing I’ve ever read. Such sad news. pic.twitter.com/RxAA1V1fr6
The actor is most famous for his role as Chandler Bing on Friends, in which he appeared for its entire decade-long run from 1994 until 2004.
The series also starred Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow.
Throughout his career, Perry also appeared in numerous other TV shows including Boys Will Be Boys, Growing Pains, Ally McBeal, The West Wing and Scrubs.
He also starred in blockbuster films such as The Whole Nine Yards and 17 Again.
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