The tragic passing of the Matthew Perry on Saturday has provoked an outpouring of grief from all over the world, with tributes and memories shared by everyone from his Friend’s co-stars and fellow A-list actors like Gwyneth Paltrow, to his school friend Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Maggie Wheeler, whose character Janice memorably dated Perry’s during the second and third seasons of the beloved show took to Instagram to share an emotional tribute to her late co-star, with the caption ‘What a loss. The world will miss you Mathew Perry.’
In another moving statement, Friend’s co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane, who cast Perry aged 24, as Chandler Bing, who would go on to become one of the most popular sitcom characters of all time when he was 24, reflected on his ‘blinding intelligence’ and described him as always ‘the funniest person in the room.’
While the main ensemble cast members, including Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer and Courteney Cox have been slow to make an official statement, our readers were quick to share their own shock and sadness at the news.
Matthew Perry documented his struggles with addiction in his headline grabbing memoir, Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing, released in 2022
Many readers commented that they actually ‘gasped’ with shock upon reading of Perry’s sudden passing.
Others shared deeply moving tributes to a star who clearly meant a huge amount – and brought much-needed cheer during difficult times. Tragically, something he seems to have been unable to do for himself, in his own life.
One reader said that Perry’s legacy is a testament to how ‘humour can brighten our darkest days.’
Readers took to the comments to share how important Friends has been to them in times of need.
While many have talked about how his work positively impacted their lives, some readers expressed deep sadness about Perry’s well documented battle with substance abuse, illness and his mental health – and the hope that he is now at peace, his ‘struggling’ done.’
‘Sometimes the funniest ones have the worst demons’ was an observation shared by another commenter, referring to other famous comedians who have publicly battled with their own issues.
Perry was incredibly honest and open about his addictions and ‘demons.’
Just after his death was announced, a poignant quote from Perry himself went viral on social media, where he revealed his wishes for how he would like to be remembered when he died.
Rather than it just being all about ‘Friends, Friends, Friends,’ he said that it would be ‘nice ‘if it was instead for the things he did to help people.
Some of you shared some deeply moving personal anecdotes to illustrate the impact of his tragic loss.
Judging by your comments and the outpouring of love, it seems that, as well as his work around addiction, he actually helped people more than he ever could have known, in his now iconic portrayal of Chandler Bing on Friends.
Many of you expressed your sincerest hopes that he knew the effect that his character had on people.
You thanked Matthew Perry for ‘all the laughs’ and hoped he knew just how ‘beloved’ he truly was
While Friend’s co-creators Marta Kauffman an David Crane referenced the famous episode names in their statement, saying this is ‘The One Where We Are Heartbroken,’ readers expressed their sadness using one of Chandler Bing’s most famous catchphrases, with one reader saying ‘could I BE more heartbroken?’
Many took to the comments to remember Perry using his one of Chandler Bing’s most famous catchphrases
