Within the wake of Matthew Perry’s sudden dying at age 54, tributes from the beloved actor’s “Pals” group, together with his former co-stars, are paying homage to his life and legacy, each on and offscreen.
Perry was discovered unresponsive within the jacuzzi at his dwelling within the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles after police responded to a 911 name on Saturday, the LAPD stated. An post-mortem was accomplished on Sunday, in response to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Workplace, and toxicology outcomes had been pending.
Recognized greatest for his iconic portrayal of Chandler Bing on the long-running sitcom “Pals,” Perry received worldwide recognition and important popularity of a number of the many performing credit he earned all through his prolific Hollywood profession.
His 5 “Pals” co-stars — Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer — didn’t communicate out immediately, however issued a joint assertion on Monday to Individuals journal.
“We’re all so totally devastated by the lack of Matthew. We had been extra than simply solid mates. We’re a household,” their assertion reads. “There’s a lot to say, however proper now we’ll take a second to grieve and course of this unfathomable loss.”
“In time we’ll say extra, as and once we are ready,” they proceed. “For now, our ideas and our love are with Matty’s household, his pals, and everybody who beloved him world wide.”
Jon Ragel/NBCU Picture Financial institution/NBCUniversal through Getty Photographs through Getty Photographs
Perry regarded again on the years taking part in Chandler and mirrored on the group’s lasting bond in an emotional sit-down with the solid featured in HBO Max’s 2021 “Pals” reunion particular.
“The easiest way that I can describe it’s after the present was over, at a celebration or any form of social gathering, if one in every of us ran into one another, that was it. That was the top of the night time. You simply sat with the particular person all night time lengthy and that was it,” Perry stated.
“You apologized to the folks you had been with, however they needed to perceive you had met someone particular to you and also you had been going to speak to that particular person for the remainder of the night time,” he continued. “And that is the best way it labored.”
Phillip Faraone/Getty Photographs for GQ
Perry obtained an Emmy nomination in 2002 for excellent lead actor in a comedy collection for his function as Chandler Bing, and Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for his efficiency within the 2007 miniseries, “The Ron Clark Story.”
Perry additionally starred in tv collection and movies like “Studio 60 on the Sundown Strip,” “Rising Pains,” “Ally McBeal,” “17 Once more,” “The Entire 9 Yards,” “The West Wing” and a 2015 reboot of “The Odd Couple.”
His struggles with substance use had been effectively documented, and he shared extra particulars about these experiences in a memoir launched final 12 months titled “Pals, Lovers and the Huge Horrible Factor.”
Following his dying, Perry’s household launched an announcement to Individuals saying they had been “heartbroken by the tragic loss.”
“Matthew introduced a lot pleasure to the world, each as an actor and a buddy,” they wrote. “You all meant a lot to him and we respect the great outpouring of affection.”
Members of his “Pals” circle additionally shared their remembrances:
“Pals” co-creators Marta Kauffman, David Crane and Kevin Shiny
Marta Kauffman, David Crane and Kevin Shiny, the co-creators and the manager producer, respectively, of “Pals,” stated they “are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened” by Perry’s dying in an announcement to CBS Information on Sunday.
“We’re shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by our beloved buddy Matthew’s passing. It nonetheless appears unattainable. All we will say is that we really feel blessed to have had him as a part of our lives,” the assertion learn.
“He was an excellent expertise,” it continued. “It is a cliche to say that an actor makes a task their very own, however in Matthew’s case, there aren’t any more true phrases. From the day we first heard him embody the function of Chandler Bing, there was nobody else for us. We are going to at all times cherish the enjoyment, the sunshine, the blinding intelligence he introduced to each second – not simply to his work, however in life as effectively. He was at all times the funniest particular person within the room. Greater than that, he was the sweetest, with a giving and selfless coronary heart.We ship all of our like to his household and pals. This really is The One The place Our Hearts Are Damaged.”
Maggie Wheeler, Janice on “Pals”
A number of different “Pals” actors, together with Maggie Wheeler — who performed Chandler Bing’s recurrent love curiosity, Janice — and Morgan Fairchild — who performed Chandler’s mom — had been among the many first to talk out when information broke of his dying on Saturday.
“What a loss,” Wheeler wrote on Instagram. “The world will miss you…The enjoyment you delivered to so many in your too brief lifetime will stay on. I really feel so very blessed by each artistic second we shared.”
Morgan Fairchild, Nora Tyler Bing — Chandler Bing’s mom — on “Pals”
“I am heartbroken in regards to the premature dying of my “son”, Matthew Perry,” Fairchild wrote in one other submit on X. “The lack of such an excellent younger actor is a shock. I am sending love & condolences to his pals & household, particularly his dad, John Bennett Perry, who I labored with on Flamingo Street & Falcon Crest.”
Paget Brewster, Kathy on “Pals” Season 4
Actor Paget Brewster, who additionally appeared in a recurring function on “Pals” earlier than her rise to fame within the crime drama “Prison Minds,” wrote, “I am so very unhappy to listen to about @MatthewPerry. He was pretty to me on Pals and each time I noticed him within the many years after.”
“Please learn his e book,” Brewster continued. “It was his legacy to assist. He will not relaxation in peace although.. He is already too busy making everybody chortle up there.”
Paul Rudd, Mike Hannigan on “Pals”
Paul Rudd, who appeared between 2002 and 2004 in a recurring function, because the husband of Kudrow’s character, Phoebe Buffay, on the ultimate two seasons of “Pals,” penned a message for Perry on Instagram.
“Phrases cannot categorical how saddened I’m to listen to of Matthew’s passing. You can be missed so so so dearly,” Rudd captioned the submit that he shared late Saturday night time.
Aisha Tyler, Charlie Wheeler on “Pals”
Aisha Tyler — who performed performed Charlie Wheeler, a love curiosity for each Schwimmer and LeBlanc’s characters, Ross Gellar and Joey Tribbiani, in a visitor function on the ninth season of “Pals” — counseled Perry’s work ethic, and his persona behind the scenes, in one other submit.
“He had a gentleness and generosity of spirit that was unparalleled,” Tyler wrote on Instagram. “I discovered the way to inform a joke completely simply by watching him work. And I’ll always remember the second he leaned in, on my first night time of taping Pals, to inform me warmly, ‘prepare in your life to alter.’ Relaxation effectively, Matthew Perry. Thanks for the kindness and laughter.”
Warner Bros. Tv Group
Warner Bros. Tv Group, which produced “Pals,” reacted to Perry’s dying in an announcement to CBS Information on Saturday.
“We’re devastated by the passing of our pricey buddy Matthew Perry,” the assertion learn. “Matthew was an extremely gifted actor and an indelible a part of the Warner Bros. Tv Group household. The impression of his comedic genius was felt world wide, and his legacy will stay on within the hearts of so many. This can be a heartbreaking day, and we ship our like to his household, his family members, and all of his devoted followers.”