The sudden death of “Friends” star Matthew Perry shocked fans and celebrities alike, with lots of the beloved sitcom’s guest stars paying tribute to him via social media.
Perry died of an apparent drowning incident at his California home on Saturday. He was 54.
He famously portrayed the sarcastic and charming Chandler Bing on “Friends” alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer.
“We’re all so utterly devastated by the lack of Matthew. We were greater than just forged mates. We’re a family,” the forged wrote in a joint statement, obtained by People on Monday. “There may be a lot to say, but at once we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.”
“In time we are going to say more, as and once we are able,” the statement continued. “For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everybody who loved him all over the world.”
His co-stars from his other projects, including Salma Hayek and Ione Skye, have also reacted to his death.
“Friends” ran on NBC for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004. See below which guest stars of the famed sitcom have spoken out about Perry to this point.
Aisha Tyler
Aisha Tyler, 53, who appeared on “Friends” as each Joey’s (Matt LeBlanc) and Ross’ (David Schwimmer) love interest Charlie Wheeler during Seasons 9 and 10, remembered Perry via Instagram on Saturday.
“He had a gentleness and generosity of spirit that was unparalleled. I learned methods to tell a joke perfectly just by watching him work,” she wrote. “And I’ll always remember the moment he leaned in, on my first night of taping Friends, to inform me warmly, ‘prepare to your life to alter.’ Rest well, Matthew Perry. Thanks for the kindness and laughter.”
“The One In Barbados, Part I” in 2003.
Christina Ricci
Christina Ricci, 43, who portrayed Joey’s sister Mary-Theresa on Season 1 of the show, also addressed Perry’s death Sunday on Instagram, writing, “I burst into tears once I read the news today. I never met Matthew Perry, but I loved him.”
“‘Friends’ saved me quite a few times during hard and lonely times in my life,” the “Wednesday” star continued. “I adored his character and desired to marry Chandler Bing as a young person. I watched all his movies. He was a genius. I downloaded his book and skim the entire thing on my cross country flight today. I’m heartbroken this man suffered a lot in life while giving us a lot of himself. Read his book. It’s one other gift he gave us. Should you’re combating addiction issues it would just save your life. May he finally rest in peace.”
Hank Azaria
Hank Azaria, 59, who played David, Phoebe’s (Lisa Kudrow) on-and-off love interest in “Friends,” spoke about Perry in a heartfelt video posted to Instagram on Sunday.
“Matthew was the primary friend I made in Los Angeles once I moved there. I used to be 21, he was 16,” Azaria began, calling Perry “the funniest man ever.”
“Matthew and I became really good friends and we were really more like brothers for a very long time. We drank loads together, we laughed loads together, we were there for one another within the early days of our profession,” he continued.
“The Simpsons” star added, “I actually loved him. A whole lot of us who were near him felt like we lost him to drugs and alcohol a protracted time ago because — as he documented in his autobiography — there was a lot suffering. I had to select up and put down that biography, like, 11 times, it was so painful for me to read.”
Maggie Wheeler
Maggie Wheeler, known for taking part in Chandler’s on-again, off-again girlfriend Janice with a skin-crawling laugh, took to Instagram to precise her condolences.
“What a loss. The world will miss you Matthew Perry,” Wheeler wrote. “The enjoyment you delivered to so many in your too short lifetime will survive. I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared.”
Selma Blair
Selma Blair, 51, who played Wendy within the show’s ninth season, shared a post on Instagram.
“My oldest boy friend. All of us loved Matthew Perry, and I did especially. Daily. I loved him unconditionally. And he me. And I’m broken,” she wrote. “Broken hearted. Sweet dreams Matty. Sweet dreams.”
Kathleen Turner
Kathleen Turner, 69, who played Chandler’s transgender father, spoke to People on Monday in regards to the good times she experienced together with her TV son.
“He got here to see one among my Broadway shows and he got here backstage,” Turner revealed. “When he saw me, he yelled out, ‘Hey dad’ and everybody thought it was pretty cool. I feel it was for ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.’”
Although Turner admitted the last time she saw Perry was “a minimum of 10 years ago,” his personality all the time stuck together with her.
“I liked him,” she said. “He had humorousness and heart. He liked other people, which, to me, is very necessary, especially for an actor. It’s extremely sad when you consider how young [he was] and a pity he couldn’t get more control.”
Morgan Fairchild
Morgan Fairchild, 73, who portrayed Chandler’s mom on “Friends,” appeared on “CNN This Morning,” on Monday.
“The show was not an enormous hit yet once I began working on it,” she recalled about working with the late Perry. “He got here bounding over to me, literally bounding like an enormous puppy and said, ‘Oh, you won’t remember me. I used to go to you on the set of ‘Flamingo Road’ and ‘Falcon Crest’ with my dad!’”
She described Perry as “warm,” “wonderful, “funny” and a “creative” person. She said she was surprised to comprehend that it was almost 30 years ago that they worked together.
“We’ve all grown up together,” she added. “The audience has grown up with Matt as their best friend, the person they desired to be, the person they wanted to satisfy, know and have as a friend.”
Paget Brewster
Paget Brewster, 54, appeared as Chandler’s girlfriend Kathy on Season 4 of “Friends.”
“I’m so very sad to listen to about @MatthewPerry,” she wrote Saturday on X, the platform previously often called Twitter.
“He was lovely to me on Friends and each time I saw him within the many years after. Please read his book. It was his legacy to assist,” she added. “He won’t rest in peace though.. He’s already too busy making everyone laugh up there.”
