Matthew Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing in the popular sitcom , has tragically passed away at the age of 54 in his Los Angeles home. Perry’s death was confirmed by Warner Bros. Television, the production company behind Friends. In a statement obtained by Yahoo Entertainment, they expressed their devastation and praised Perry’s incredible talent and comedic genius. The news of Perry’s death has sent shockwaves around the world, and his legacy will undoubtedly live on in the hearts of his devoted fans.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Perry was found unresponsive in his hot tub and is believed to have drowned. Authorities were called to his home in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood but found no evidence of foul play. The investigation into his death is ongoing.
Perry’s post-Friends career included starring roles in various TV comedies such as Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Mr. Sunshine, Go On, and a reboot of The Odd Couple. In 2021, he reunited with his Friends co-stars for a highly anticipated reunion special on HBO Max.
On the big screen, Perry appeared in films like The Whole Nine Yards, 17 Again, and Fools Rush In. Last year, he released a memoir titled Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing, in which he candidly discussed his struggles with substance use and his complicated relationship with fame.
In an emotional interview with the Washington Post conducted in November 2022, Perry shared that his book had brought him back into the public eye and he felt grateful for the opportunity to help others with his story.
As news of Perry’s death spread, friends and colleagues took to social media to express their grief and pay tribute to the talented actor. Among them were Maggie Wheeler (Janice in Friends), Paget Brewster (also from Friends), Yvette Nicole Brown (co-star in The Odd Couple), and Meredith Salenger (co-star in A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon).
Devastated to hear about the passing of @MatthewPerry. He was a true talent on Friends and every encounter I had with him afterwards was filled with kindness. I encourage everyone to read his memoir, it was his way of helping others. He will be greatly missed.
— paget brewster (@pagetpaget) October 29, 2023
Heartbroken over the loss of Matthew Perry. A sweet and troubled soul who brought so much joy with his singular wit. May he find peace and happiness in Heaven. 💔💔💔
— Mira Sorvino (@MiraSorvino) October 29, 2023
May Matt Perry journey through the stars in peace. We will always remember and cherish his unique talent. If you want to learn more about him, I highly recommend reading his book. 📚💔 pic.twitter.com/CUHzTCQXBR
— Nancy Sinatra (@NancySinatra) October 29, 2023
Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Matthew Perry. He was one of the funniest people I had the pleasure of knowing. His bravery in sharing his struggles with addiction and his desire to help others will never be forgotten. Sending love to all who loved him.
— Chad Lowe (@ichadlowe) October 29, 2023