Matthew Perry was widely mourned this weekend by friends, co-stars and some very famous fans, including his childhood classmate, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; his 鈥淔riends鈥� mom Morgan Fairchild; and even Adele.
Perry, who played Chandler Bing on NBC鈥檚 鈥淔riends鈥� for 10 seasons,
鈥淭his truly is The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken,鈥� 鈥淔riends鈥� co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane, along with executive producer Kevin Bright, said in a joint statement Sunday.
鈥淲e are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by our beloved friend Matthew鈥檚 passing," Kauffman, Crane and Bright wrote. 鈥淲e will always cherish the joy, the light, the blinding intelligence he brought to every moment - not just to his work, but in life as well. He was always the funniest person in the room. More than that, he was the sweetest, with a giving and selfless heart.鈥�
Perry's family also gave a statement to People Magazine, writing that they are heartbroken by the loss.
鈥淢atthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend,鈥� the family said. 鈥淵ou all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.鈥�
Others, some who knew him, some who didn't, took to social media to express their grief.
Trudeau, who attended elementary school with Perry while their parents worked together, wrote a tribute on X, formerly Twitter.
鈥淚鈥檒l never forget the schoolyard games we used to play, and I know people around the world are never going to forget the joy he brought them,鈥� Trudeau wrote. 鈥淭hanks for all the laughs, Matthew. You were loved 鈥� and you will be missed.鈥�
Perry鈥檚 mother served as press secretary to Trudeau's father, Pierre Trudeau, during his time as prime minister.
Adele took a moment to talk about him during her show in Las Vegas on Saturday night. She recalled how his work made her laugh and said that even though she鈥檇 never met him, there is a strange thing that happens sometimes when an entertainer dies that makes you feel personally sad.
鈥淚 just want to say how much I love what he did for us,鈥� she said to the cheering crowd.
Saturday Night Live also showed a tribute card for Perry during the weekend鈥檚 episode. Perry once hosted the show, in 1997, which featured one sketch where he played Matt LeBlanc鈥檚 character Joey and Colin Quinn played Chandler.
Fairchild, who played Chandler鈥檚 mother on 鈥淔riends鈥� wrote on X, that she was 鈥渉eartbroken about the untimely death of my 鈥榮on鈥�.鈥�
鈥淭he loss of such a brilliant young actor is a shock. I鈥檓 sending love & condolences to his friends & family, especially his dad," Fairchild wrote.
She had also worked with Perry鈥檚 father, actor John Bennett Perry, on several television series.
Another frequent 鈥淔riends鈥� co-star, Maggie Wheeler, who played his girlfriend Janice, wrote, "The joy you brought to so many in your too short lifetime will live on. I feel very blessed by every creative moment we shared.鈥�
Selma Blair, who also appeared on an episode of 鈥淔riends,鈥� posted on Instagram that she was 鈥渂roken hearted.鈥�
鈥淢y oldest boy friend,鈥� Blair wrote. 鈥淎ll of us loved Matthew Perry, and I did especially. Every day. I loved him unconditionally. And he me. And I鈥檓 broken. Broken hearted. Sweet dreams Matty. Sweet dreams.鈥�
Many Hollywood actors crossed paths with Perry, who had worked steadily on screen since he was a child.
Wendell Pierce, who worked with Perry on 鈥淭he Odd Couple,鈥� wrote on X that for two years, 鈥淢atthew Perry was my boss, my colleague, and a giving, kind, funny man. I pray and hope he is at peace.鈥�
Shannen Doherty shared a photo on Instagram and reflected on their friendship, which extended back to an appearance on 鈥淏everly Hills 90210," and included a Valentine's Day date in Malibu once.
鈥淲e were a gang way back. We all grew up together going to the Formosa 鈥� We played dare and Matt had to say ridiculous things to girls at the bar. We just always had fun and supported each other. You would always find us all together in a booth speaking in our own made up language. And yes, Matt always had THAT sense of humor,鈥� Doherty wrote. "I could be more poetic or say things better but right now, shock and sadness prevail.鈥�
Gwyneth Paltrow, writing on Instagram, recalled meeting Perry at the Williamstown Theater Festival in the summer of 1993, where they were both doing plays. The 鈥淔riends鈥� pilot had been shot but not yet aired. The actor and lifestyle guru recalled Perry as funny, sweet and fun to be with.
鈥淲e drove out to swim in creeks, had beers in the local college bar, kissed in a field of long grass. It was a magical summer," she wrote. 鈥淚 am super sad today, as so many of us are. I hope Matthew is at peace at long last. I really do.鈥�
The Associated Press
