Associated Press
Published on Sunday, October 29, 2023 at 7:46 PM EDT
Last updated on Sunday, October 29, 2023 7:48 PM EDT
Matthew Perry was widely mourned this weekend by friends, co-stars and famous fans, including his childhood classmate and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. his “friend’s” mother Morgan Fairchild; And even Adele.
Perry, who played Chandler Bing on NBC’s “Friends” for 10 seasons, was found dead in his Los Angeles home on Saturday. He was 54 years old.
“This is truly heartbreaking,” Friends co-creators Marta Kaufman and David Crane and executive producer Kevin Bright said in a joint statement Sunday.
Kaufman, Crane and Bright said: “We are shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved friend Matthew. We are deeply saddened by the joy, light and blinding joy he brought to every moment. I will always value his intellect, not just his work.”
Perry’s family also released a statement to People magazine, writing that they were heartbroken by the loss.
“Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and as a friend,” his family said in a statement. “You all meant so much to him and we are grateful for his outpouring of love.”
Those who knew him and those who didn’t took to social media to express their grief.
Prime Minister Trudeau, whose parents both worked and attended elementary school with Perry, expressed his condolences on X (formerly Twitter).
“We will never forget the games we once played in our schoolyards, and people around the world will never forget the joy he brought,” Trudeau wrote. “Thank you for all the laughs, Matthew. You were loved and will be missed.”
Mr. Perry’s mother served as press secretary for Mr. Trudeau’s father, Pierre Trudeau, when he was prime minister.
Adele took a moment to talk about him during her show in Las Vegas on Saturday night. She recalled how his work made her laugh, and although she never met him, she said sometimes strange things happen when a celebrity dies, and she feels personally sad.
“I just want to say how much I love him for what he’s done for us,” she told the cheering crowd.
Saturday Night Live also unveiled a tribute card to Perry during the weekend’s episode. Perry previously hosted the show in 1997, when it aired a skit in which Perry played Joey, played by Matt LeBlanc, and Colin Quinn played Chandler.
Fairchild, who played Chandler’s mother on Friends, wrote in X that she was “heartbroken by the untimely death of my ‘son’.”
“We are devastated by the loss of such a wonderful young actor. We send our love and condolences to his friends and family, especially his father,” Fairchild wrote.
She also co-starred with Perry’s father, actor John Bennett Perry, in several television series.
Maggie Wheeler, a frequent Friends co-star who played his girlfriend Janice, said: “The joy you brought to so many people in your all-too-short life will live on. I feel very blessed with creative moments.”
Selma Blair, who also appeared on “Friends,” posted on Instagram that she was “heartbroken.”
“My oldest boyfriend,” Blair wrote. “We all loved Matthew Perry, but especially me. Every day. I loved him unconditionally. And he is me. And I was broken.” I’m heartbroken. Sweet dreams, Matty. Sweet dreams.”
Many Hollywood actors met Perry, who worked steadily in films since childhood.
Wendell Pierce, who worked with Perry on The Odd Couple, wrote to X over a two-year period: “Matthew Perry was my boss, colleague, and a generous, kind, and funny man. I am in my prayers and may he rest in peace.”
Shannen Doherty shared a photo on Instagram and reflected on their friendship, which dates back to their time on Beverly Hills 90210 and even went on a Valentine’s Day date in Malibu.
“We used to be a gang. We all grew up together going to Formosa…We played dares and Matt had to say some stupid things to girls at the bar. We were always having fun and supporting each other. You would always see us huddled in the booth, speaking in a language of our own making. And yes, Matt always had a good sense of humor. He had good sense,” Doherty wrote. “I could have been more poetic, I could have said things better, but right now the shock and sadness is winning.”
Gwyneth Paltrow recalled on Instagram that she met Perry in the summer of 1993 at the Williamstown Theater Festival, where they were both performing. The pilot for “Friends” had been filmed but had not yet aired. The actor and lifestyle guru recalled Perry as funny, kind and fun to be around.
“We drove out to swim in streams, drank beers at local college bars, and kissed in long grass fields. It was a magical summer,” she wrote. “Like many of us, I’m very sad today. I hope Matthew can finally find peace. I really do.”
