Richard Wilkins has paid tribute to American actor Matthew Perry following his shock death on Saturday at the age of 54.
Perry was found on Saturday at his home in Los Angeles after first responders were called to the scene at around 4pm PDT for a cardiac arrest.
Sources said he was found in a jacuzzi at the home but that no drugs were discovered at the scene – and there was no indication of foul play.
‘It’s just very sad. He was way too young to go,’ Wilkins told 9Honey on Sunday, noting how Perry’s death is one that ‘hits home’ as, thanks to his role as Chandler Bing on Friends, he ‘was so much a part of our lives’.
‘Friends was one of those shows that was appointment viewing and we all used to watch it… it was so compelling,’ Wilkins continued.
Matthew Perry’s shock death aged 54 has left the world without one of its best friends, Today show’s Richard Wilkins (pictured) says
Perry (pictured) was found on Saturday at his home in Los Angeles after first responders were called to the scene at around 4pm PDT for a cardiac arrest
‘[The cast] were best friends, but they were our friends as well.’
He said that Perry lived a ‘difficult life’ filled with challenges which included substance abuse and addiction, but despite this, he ‘brought so much joy to all of us’.
Perry had reportedly played a two-hour game of Pickleball prior to his death after which he sent his assistant out on an errand. When they returned, the assistant found Perry unresponsive and dialed 911.
He rose to fame in his role as ‘Chandler Bing’ on the hit 90s sitcom Friends, which ran for 10 seasons, and has spoken openly about his battle to overcome a decades-long drug and alcohol addiction.
‘It’s just very sad. He was way too young to go,’ Wilkins told 9Honey on Sunday, noting how Perry’s death is one that ‘hits home’ as, thanks to his role as Chandler Bing on Friends, he ‘was so much a part of our lives’. Pictured with Julia Roberts on set
Sources said he was found in a jacuzzi at the home but that no drugs were discovered at the scene – and there was no indication of foul play
In his last post to his Instagram, shared earlier this week, the star shared images of him in his pool, saying: ‘Oh, so warm water swirling around makes you feel good? I’m Mattman.’
Perry has been candid publicly about his problems with drugs and alcohol, after first going to rehab in 1997 for what was said to a pain medication addiction after a jet skiing accident.
Following this initial stint, he then went to rehab again in 2001 and 2011. He told an interviewer in 2016 that he doesn’t remember filming three seasons of Friends.
A longtime friend of Perry’s – who was in recovery with him – told DailyMail.com: ‘Everyone is in a total state of shock. People are crying on the phone and struggling to accept this news.’
Perry rose to fame for his role as ‘Chandler Bing’ on the hit 90s sitcom Friends (pictured with the cast), which ran for 10 seasons
