Tributes honoring late Matthew Perry's life, legacy flood social media

By Dilara Hamit

After the sudden passing late Saturday of Matthew Perry, star of the beloved US television series Friends, fans and former co-stars of the cherished actor flooded social media with heartfelt tributes, honoring his life and the enduring impact he made both in front of and behind the camera.

Warner Bros. Television, the producer of Friends, released a statement saying: "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."

Numerous other actors from the show’s cast, such as Maggie Wheeler, known for her recurring role as Janice, the love interest for Perry’s Chandler Bing character, and Morgan Fairchild, who played his mother, were among the first to share their thoughts.

"I’m heartbroken about the untimely death of my ‘son,’ Matthew Perry. The loss of such a brilliant young actor is a shock," Fairchild said on X with the hashtag #RIPMatthew.

Perry, who grew up in Ottawa, was also mourned by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who attended elementary school with Perry and described his death 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.

NBC, the network that broadcast Friends from 1994 to 2004, said on Facebook that Perry enriched the lives of countless people globally through his impeccable comedic timing and clever humor.

Fan pages on social media united under the sentiment "The one where we all lost a friend," a play on the structure of the show's episode titles.

The building used for exterior shots of the show’s apartments was also flooded with tributes for Perry, with fans honoring him by leaving flowers, candles, and personal notes outside the Greenwich Village building.

Perry's lifeless body was discovered at a residence in Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades neighborhood, following a 911 call concerning a water-related incident. According to the police report, the actor was found unconscious in his hot tub, with no apparent signs of physical harm, yet the exact cause of his passing remains undisclosed.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office said an autopsy has been conducted, with pending results from toxicology tests.

Perry became a household name through his legendary portrayal of Chandler Bing in the long-running series Friends. His portrayal of the character, known for its idiosyncratic behaviors and unique personality, endeared him to fans throughout the show's successful 10-season run.

His outstanding performance in this role earned him an Emmy nomination in 2002 for his work as lead actor in a comedy series.