‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry’s death sparks outpouring of grief from friends and fans

Fans and celebs flooded social media with tributes to the late “Friends” star Matthew Perry, who was found dead Saturday afternoon at his Los Angeles-area home.

“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,” wrote actress Maggie Wheeler, who played Chandler’s on-and-off girlfriend on “Friends,” in a post to her Instagram.

Actress and author Selma Blair posted to Instagram, calling Perry her “oldest boy friend.”

“I want to leave Matthew Perry’s own words here as the way we remember him,” said Mira Sorvino, who starred alongside Perry in the 1994 TV movie “Parallel Lives.” The actress shared a statement from before he passed.

Law enforcement sources said the 54-year-old was found unresponsive inside a hot tub, around 4 p.m. when authorities arrived at his residence, and that no drugs were found at the scene, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Later in the evening, as police blocked off the entrance to Blue Sail Drive, where Perry lived in the Pacific Palisades, his stepfather, broadcaster Keith Morrison, arrived at the scene to comfort his mother Suzanne and father, John Bennett Perry.

No foul play is suspected, but the Los Angeles Police Department’s robbery-homicide detectives are investigating Perry’s death, and the county coroner’s office is expected to release an official cause of death at a later date.

Morgan Fairchild, who played Chandler’s mother, Nora, on “Friends,” posted on X, “I’m heartbroken about the untimely death of my “son”, 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. #RIPMatthew,” she added.

Paget Brewster, who had a six-episode arc on the show, wrote “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.”

Yvette Nicole Brown, who acted alongside Perry in “The Odd Couple,” wrote in a tribute, “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.”

“Friends” fans also took to X to show how much Perry’s work meant to them.

“Rest in peace to the man who played one of my favorite characters of all time,” one fan wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Matthew Perry was able to put a smile on my face when no one else could, and I’ll remember his impact he had on me and his legacy forever.”

“Watching ‘Friends’ for the first time and falling in love with Chandler Bing is something I will forever hold dearly,” said another admirer. “One of the best characters on television, and one of the best actors to play it. I’m beyond distraught. Matthew Perry was too young. This is heartbreaking.”

_____