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Matthew Perry Dead at 54: Hollywood Mourns Late ‘Friends’ Star

Matthew Perry Dead at 54: Hollywood Mourns Late ‘Friends’ Star

By:

Caitlin Berard

Matthew Perry, the acclaimed actor best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the iconic sitcom Friends, died on Saturday, October 28. He was 54 years old. News of his unexpected passing drew countless tributes from both fans and colleagues, with many expressing a mixture of grief at the actor’s Passing and gratitude for his kindness and wit.

Among those to share their heartbreak was Paget Brewster, who played Kathy on Friends. Though she appeared in just six of the series’ 235 episodes, her time acting alongside Matthew Perry made a lasting impact.

“I’m so very sad to hear about Matthew Perry,” she wrote in a Twitter post. “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.”

Warner Bros. Television Group, the production company behind Friends, released a statement as well. “We are devastated to learn of Matthew Perry’s passing,” they wrote. “He was a true gift to us all. Our heart goes out to his family, loved ones, and all of his fans.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who grew up near Perry in their shared hometown of Ottawa, Canada, reflected on fond memories of time spent at elementary school together. “Matthew Perry’s passing is shocking and saddening,” Trudeau wrote on Twitter. “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.”

‘Friends’ Star Matthew Perry Remembered as ‘Kind’ and ‘Genuine’

Sterling Knight, who starred alongside Matthew Perry in 17 Again when he was just 20 years old, recalled meeting his “hero” and what an incredible experience it turned out to be.

“My first big job,” Knight wrote on Twitter. “Everyone was so kind and I made an utter ass of myself in front of my sitcom hero, Matthew Perry. He was kind, genuine, offered advice, and inspired confidence. I’ll always be a little bummed that we never got to play tennis, but heaven must’ve needed some sarcasm, and he was the best.”

Lisa Ann Walter, who starred in The Odd Couple with Matthew Perry, recalled a memorable moment from a different project. “In The Whole Nine Yards – Matthew Perry runs full force into a patio door – that and the scene that followed is one of the top comedic moments I’ve witnessed,” Walter wrote. “I told him so when I recurred on The Odd Couple. He smiled so big I thought he’d crack his face. It was beautiful.”