Matthew Perry, best known as Chandler Bing on the hit sitcom Friends, died on Saturday October 28, 2023, at age 54. His body was found in his spa at his Pacific Palisades home. His official cause of death has not been determined as the coroner is waiting on further test results.
As news of his death broke, many stars took to social media to share their grief, condolences, and memories. Matthew’s family also issued a statement. Before his passing, Matthew himself told the world how he wanted to be remembered.
Laura Benanti worked with Matthew on the short-lived NBC series Go On. "Matty was a generous, brilliant man of unparalleled talent," she told People magazine. "I feel grateful to have known him."
Morgan Fairchild played Matthew’s onscreen mother on Friends. She took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share her thoughts on the somber moment. "I’m heartbroken about the untimely death of my 'son', Matthew Perry,” she wrote. “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. #RIPMatthew."
More from LittleThings: Matthew Perry Says He's 'Grateful To Be Alive' After His Brutal Battle With Addiction
Paget Brewster played Kathy, one of Chandler’s love interests on Friends. "I’m so very sad to hear about @MatthewPerry," she wrote on X. "He was lovely to me on Friends and every time I saw him in the decades after. Please read his book. It was his legacy to help. He won’t rest in peace though.. He’s already too busy making everyone laugh up there."
Marta Kauffman and David Crane, Friends co-creators, and Executive Producer Kevin Bright came together to mourn their colleague by issuing a joint statement. It reads in part: "We are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by our beloved friend Matthew’s passing. It still seems impossible. All we can say is that we feel blessed to have had him as part of our lives. He was a brilliant talent.”
The trio concludes: "This truly is 'The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken.'"
Matthew’s family also issued a statement about his death. Matthew's parents were also public figures. His mom, Suzanne Marie Morrison, is a Canadian journalist and his father, John Bennett Perry, is an American actor. His stepdad was Keith Morrison, a Canadian journalist.
"We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother. Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend. You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love," they wrote.
Matthew was open about his struggles with addiction to drugs and alcohol. His memoir Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing goes into great detail on the subject. Before his death, he reflected on what he wanted his legacy to be.
“I would like to be remembered as somebody who lived well, loved well, was a seeker. And his paramount thing is that he wants to help people. That's what I want," Matthew stated in an interview with Q host Tom Power in 2022.
"The best thing about me, bar none, is that if an alcoholic or drug addict comes up to me and says, 'Will you help me?' I can say yes and follow up and do it," he continued. "When I die, I don't want Friends to be the first thing that's mentioned. I want that to be the first thing that's mentioned, and I'm going to live the rest of my life proving that."
