Matthew Perry, renowned for his unforgettable portrayal of Chandler Bing in the immensely popular sitcom “Friends,” passed away at the age of 54 on October 28, 2023. The actor was found unresponsive in a hot tub, and despite the efforts of first responders, they were unable to revive him. Heartfelt tributes have been pouring in from across the globe to honour his memory.
The cast of “Friends” has come together to release a joint statement, expressing their profound grief at the loss of one of their own. In their statement, they conveyed, “We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family.” They went on to say, “There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.”
The statement, signed by Jennifer Aniston (Rachel Green), Courteney Cox (Monica Geller), Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe), Matt LeBlanc (Joey), and David Schwimmer (Ross), continues, “In time we will say more, as and when we are able. For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”
The creators of “Friends,” Marta Kauffman, David Crane, and producer Kevin Bright, expressed their deep sadness at the passing of Matthew Perry, describing him as a “brilliant talent.” They shared, “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.”
They also acknowledged the profound impact of Matthew Perry’s portrayal of Chandler Bing, stating, “It’s a cliche to say that an actor makes a role their own, but in Matthew’s case, there are no truer words. From the day we first heard him embody the role of Chandler Bing, there was no one else for us. We 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.”
Maggie Wheeler, known for her role as Chandler’s ex-girlfriend Janice before he married Monica, paid her respects on Instagram, sharing a picture of the two and mourning the loss. She remarked, “What a loss. The world will miss you, Matthew 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.”
