Friends actor Matthew Perry has died at the age of 54.
Perry was reportedly found unresponsive due to suspected drowning on Saturday (October 28), per reports from TMZ and the LA Times. TMZ reports that no drugs were discovered at the scene, and that authorities say no foul play was involved. According to the LA Times, detectives from Los Angeles Police Department’s robbery-homicide division are investigating the death.
While Perry is believed to have drowned, a confirmed cause of death has yet to be announced.
Matthew Perry was best known for playing the role of Chandler Bing in the beloved ’90s sitcom, Friends, alongside Courtney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlac and Lisa Kudro.
Besides Friends, Perry has also starred in shows and films like 17 Again, Fools Rush In, The Whole Nine Yards, Growing Pains, Beverly Hills 90210, Three To Tango and more.
Last year, Matthew released his book Friends, Lovers and The Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir. While promoting its release, he opened up about his drug addiction and recovery, saying that doctors had given him a 2 per cent chance of survival after his colon burst due to opioid abuse. He spoke about being put on life support, and being the only patient on the machine who survived that night.
He also disclosed that he was not able to re-watch episodes of Friends. “I was taking 55 Vicodin a day, I weighed 128lbs, I was on Friends getting watched by 30 million people – and that’s why I can’t watch the show, cause I was brutally thin,” he said.
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. pic.twitter.com/Xv6HkpSEBl
— FRIENDS (@FriendsTV) October 29, 2023
Meanwhile, tributes from the entertainment world have poured in for the actor.
Maggie Wheeler, who played Bing’s on-off girlfriend Janice Hosenstein, wrote on Instagram: “What a loss. The world will miss you Mathew Perry. The joy you brought to so many in your too short lifetime will live on. I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared.”
While Perry’s on-screen mother, Morgan Fairchild, shared this statement via X/Twitter: “I’m heartbroken about the untimely death of my “son”, Matthew Perry. The loss of such a brilliant young actor is a shock. I’m sending love & condolences to his friends & family, especially his dad, John Bennett Perry, who I worked with on Flamingo Road & Falcon Crest.”
Saturday Night Live also paid tribute to Perry. Perry hosted Saturday Night Live in 1997 at the height of his Friends fame and following his starring role opposite Salma Hayek in Fools Rush In.
The show last night paid tribute to Perry by displaying his name alongside a black and white portrait of him.
You can read more of the tributes below.
As Chandler and Monica are pronounced husband and wife in FRIENDS, the song being played by the string quartet is ‘Everlong’ by Foo Fighters.
Rest in Peace Matthew Perry pic.twitter.com/4WibFcnUfP
— Foo Fighters UK (@FooFightersUK) October 29, 2023
Happy trails to you, Matt. Thanks for being you. Wishing you a peaceful journey home through the stars.
If you loved Matthew Perry as I did read his book. You will learn a lot about him. pic.twitter.com/CUHzTCQXBR
— Nancy Sinatra (@NancySinatra) October 29, 2023
RIP Matthew Perry, 54.
The Friends star was a great actor, but by his own admission, a very tormented guy. His recent autobiography about his addiction-ravaged life was one of the most powerful, honest and revealing I’ve ever read. Such sad news. pic.twitter.com/RxAA1V1fr6— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 29, 2023
RIP MATTHEW PERRYI am really so sorry to hear of the death of actor Matthew Perry. I am such a big fan of #Friends —…
Posted by Mick Foley on Saturday, October 28, 2023
What a tragic piece of news to read. My heart goes out to his loved ones and long time cast mates. https://t.co/86iruEP5G0
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) October 29, 2023
Chandler Bing was my favourite character in Friends growing up & Matthew Perry fit the character like a glove. A huge talent, impeccable comic timing with plenty of pathos & vulnerability just beneath the surface. Thank you for the fun, joy, light & laughs you gave the world 💔 pic.twitter.com/mmUt9QNbmz
— Daniel Mays 🇺🇦💙 (@DanielMays9) October 29, 2023
Rest in peace Matthew Perry.
We are devastated by the news of your passing.
Could we be any more heartbroken?
No.
You will be forever loved, always missed and never forgotten. Sending love to you, your family, your friends and your fans.#MatthewPerry #RIPMatthewPerry pic.twitter.com/bRXxhX5Kpu— All On The Board (@allontheboard) October 29, 2023
Friends has always been a bit sneered at critically – too glossy, too popular – but actually it was an amazingly funny and engaging sitcom, driven by six brilliant comic actors, of which Matthew Perry was the most purely funny. pic.twitter.com/k6DcOQ2Nw8
— David Baddiel (@Baddiel) October 29, 2023
This is a developing story.