December 24, 2024

Hollywood mourns death of Matthew Perry: ‘The world will miss you’

Matthew Perry #MatthewPerry

Matthew Perry tributes poured in Saturday following his death at home in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. He was 54. 

Perry, who began portraying Chandler Bing on the popular sitcom “Friends” when he was only 24 years old, died after an apparent drowning in a hot tub, law enforcement sources confirmed to Fox News Digital. No drugs were reportedly found on the scene and no foul play is suspected.

Shannen Doherty, who acted alongside Perry when he appeared on “Beverly Hills 90210,” shared an old photo of him on Instagram, writing in part, “We were a gang way back … We played dare and Matt had to say ridiculous things to girls at the bar. We just always had fun and supported each other. 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 humor.”

MATTHEW PERRY DEAD AT 54

Matthew Perry was remembered by Hollywood stars following his sudden death. (Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images)

“Matt and I had a date and it was on Valentine’s Day. He wanted to get a reservation at a restaurant in Malibu but couldn’t so my dad got the reservation for him. We went and he talked about my dads Irish persuasiveness the majority of the night. 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. Yes. I could be more poetic or say things better but right now, shock and sadness prevail.”

Timothy Busfield, who starred with and directed Perry in “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” told People, “Matty Perry was a gem … He was a good, good man and a sweet, funny soul who will be missed, desperately. Not only by his millions of devoted fans, but by those co-workers and friends who he made crumble to the floor with his fast and searing wit.”

Matthew Perry is being celebrated by countless costars, coworkers and fans in the wake of his death. (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

“Oh no!!! Matthew Perry!! You sweet, troubled soul!! May you find peace and happiness in Heaven, making everyone laugh with your singular wit!!!” Mira Sorvino wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

Octavia Spencer shared on Instagram, “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.” 

“My oldest boy friend. All of us loved Matthew Perry, and I did especially. Every day,” wrote Selma Blair on Instagram. “I loved him unconditionally. And he me. And I’m broken. Broken hearted. Sweet dreams Matty. Sweet dreams.”

Matthew Perry’s first acting credit was in a 1979 episode of “240-Robert.” (Mike Pont/WireImage)

Maggie Wheeler, who portrayed Chandler Bing’s on-again, off-again girlfriend Janice on “Friends” wrote, “What a loss. The world will miss you Mathew Perry. 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.”

MATTHEW PERRY SPENT $9 MILLION ‘TRYING TO GET SOBER’ AS ‘FRIENDS’ STAR DETAILS PUBLIC BATTLE WITH ADDICTION

The official “Friends” show, along with Warner Bros. TV, wrote on Instagram, “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.”

Morgan Fairchild portrayed Matthew Perry’s mother on “Friends.” (NBC)

“We are incredibly saddened by the too soon passing of Matthew Perry. 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,” NBC shared on X.

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Morgan Fairchild said she was “heartbroken about the untimely death of my ‘son’, Matthew Perry” in a tribute shared on X. Fairchild played Chandler’s mother, Nora Tyler Bing, throughout the show. 

“The loss of such a brilliant young actor is a shock,” she added. “I’m sending love & condolences to his friends & family, especially his dad, John Bennett Perry, who I worked with on Flamingo Road & Falcon Crest.”

Bruce Willis and Matthew Perry talk at the after-party for the premiere of Warner Bros. “The Whole Ten Yards” at the Sunset Room on April 7, 2004, in Los Angeles. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Rumer Willis, daughter of Perry’s “The Whole Nine Yards” costar Bruce Willis, took to her Instagram story to share, “I’m so sad to hear about Matthew Perry passing. When I was a kid and I was on Set while he and my dad were doing whole nine and whole 10 yards he was so kind and funny and sweet with my sisters and me and I think his physical Comedy and that movie 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. I hope he can rest peacefully.”

Matthew Perry was a beloved member of Hollywood, and starred in “The Whole Nine Yards,” “Fools Rush In” and “The Odd Couple.” (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Olivia Munn shared a broken heart emoji and wrote “Oh no” with an image of the late actor. 

She added, “He struggled so much with addiction and was brave enough to be open and honest about it. I’m so sorry to his family and friends who are getting this news today. Nothing short of heartbreaking. Rest in love, Matthew Perry.”

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Fellow Canadian Tom Green wrote on X that he was “shocked and saddened” to hear about Perry’s death. 

“He is one of the many talented and incredible success stories from my hometown of Ottawa Canada. Rest in peace Matthew,” Green said.

Matthew Perry was cast on “Friends” when he was 24 years old. The cast, from left, Perry as Chandler Bing, Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green, David Schwimmer as Ross Geller, Courteney Cox as Monica Geller, Matt Le Blanc as Joey Tribbiani, and Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay. (NBCU Photo)

Perry spent upwards of $9 million on his decades-long substance abuse and sobriety battle. At one point, he was taking 55 Vicodin per day, he wrote in his 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.”

He revealed he had pursued 15 stints in rehab and underwent 14 surgeries for addiction-related medical issues. Perry was also on life support for a brief period and in a coma for two weeks.

Writing the memoir was part of his recovery. He said emotions came “pouring out of me – the painful stuff, hospitals, rehabs, all of this stuff – it poured out of me. It went really quickly.”

In an October 2022 interview with the New York Times, Perry said he had been sober since early 2021.

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Fox News Digital’s Ashley Hume contributed to this report.

Tracy Wright is an entertainment reporter for Fox News Digital. Send story tips to Tracy.Wright@fox.com.

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