Tributes pour in after Friends star Matthew Perry dies from possible drowning

Actor Matthew Perry, who starred as the wise-cracking Chandler Bing on the popular 1990s television sitcom Friends, died on Saturday after apparently drowning in a hot tub. He was 54.

The Los Angeles Times and TMZ, citing law enforcement sources, reported that the actor was found unresponsive in his jacuzzi after playing two hours of pickleball at Riviera near his home in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles.

After returning from the game, he asked his assistant to run some errands. When the assistant returned two hours later, he found Perry unresponsive in the hot tub and called 911, TMZ reported, citing police authorities.

The LA Times reported that there was no sign of foul play, and that the Los Angeles Police Department’s robbery-homicide detectives were investigating the death.

Perry’s last post on Instagram, on October 23 - five days before his death - included a photograph of him sitting in a pool or jacuzzi at night, with the words: “Oh, so warm water swirling around makes you feel good? I’m Mattman.”

Matthew Perry’s stepfather, Keith Morrison, appeared visibly shaken outside the actor’s home.Credit:

The news brought an outpouring of shock and grief from fellow celebrities and other high-profile personalities.

On Instagram the actress Selma Blair wrote: “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.”

Actor Mira Sorvino said on X: “Oh no!!! Matthew Perry!! You sweet, troubled soul!! May you find and happiness in Heaven, making everyone laugh with your singular wit!!!”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was a former schoolmate of Perry’s in Ottawa, described the actor’s passing as “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,” Trudeau said on X. “Thanks for all the laughs, Matthew. You were loved - and you will be missed.”

NBC News, citing an unnamed representative of Perry and a law enforcement source, said: “We are incredibly saddened by the too-soon passing of Matthew Perry,” NBC Entertainment said. “He brought so much joy to hundreds of millions of people around the world with his pitch-perfect comedic timing and wry wit. His legacy will live on through countless generations.”

Perry featured on Friends for 10 seasons, alongside Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc. He released a memoir in 2022, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, in which he openly discussed his alcohol and drug dependence issues that overlapped with his time on Friends.

As Chandler, he played a sarcastic, insecure and neurotic roommate of Joey and Ross, played by LeBlanc and Schwimmer respectively. By the series’ end, Chandler is married to Cox’s Monica and they have a family, reflecting the journey of the core cast from single New Yorkers to married and starting families.

The series was one of television’s biggest hits and has taken on a new life – and found surprising popularity with younger fans – in recent years on streaming services.

Perry also starred in the 1997 romantic comedy Fools Rush In alongside Salma Hayek, and had minor roles on Ally McBeal and The West Wing.

He was born in Massachussetts in 1969, but was raised in Ottawa, Canada. His mother, Suzanne Marie Morrison, was a press secretary to former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and Perry attended school with his son Justin – the current Canadian prime minister.

Perry received one Emmy nomination for his Friends role and two more for appearances as an associate White House counsel on The West Wing.

Perry also had several notable film roles, starring opposite Salma Hayek in the romantic-comedy Fools Rush In and opposite Bruce Willis in the crime comedy The Whole Nine Yards.

with Reuters and AP