The entertainment world was left in a state of disbelief upon learning of the untimely passing of Matthew Perry on October 28. The beloved actor, renowned for his portrayal of the charming Chandler Bing across ten hilarious seasons of "Friends," bid farewell to the world at the age of 54, reportedly succumbing to a drowning accident at his Los Angeles abode, according to People magazine.
Immediately, fans flocked to social media, eager to share their fondest memories of the star, highlighting his impeccable comedic timing in iconic "Friends" scenes. Perry's legacy wasn't confined to the silver screen alone; clips resurfaced, featuring him candidly discussing his battles with alcohol and substance abuse. In a poignant excerpt from his 2022 appearance on the "Q With Tom Power" podcast, promoting his memoir "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing," Perry revealed his wishes for how he hoped to be remembered.
"When I die, I know people will talk about 'Friends,' 'Friends,' 'Friends.' And I'm glad of that, happy I've done some solid work as an actor, as well as given people multiple chances to make fun of my struggles on the World Wide Web," he confessed. "But when I die, as far as my so-called accomplishments go, it would be nice if 'Friends' were listed far behind the things I did to try to help other people. I know it won't happen, but it would be nice."
Perry's family issued a heartfelt statement to People, expressing their profound grief over the loss of their beloved son and brother. "Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend," they said, adding, "You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love."
The official "Friends" social media accounts also mourned the loss of Perry, posting, "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."
On October 30, Perry's "Friends" co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer jointly released a statement reflecting on Perry's indelible legacy and expressing their deep sorrow. Maggie Wheeler, who portrayed the memorable Janice on "Friends," and Morgan Fairchild, who played Chandler's mother, also voiced their shock and condolences. Celebrities such as Selma Blair, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Adele were among the many who spoke out about Perry's passing, paying tribute to the actor they admired.
