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 \u201cFriends\u201d mom Morgan Fairchild; and even Adele.
Perry, who played Chandler Bing on NBC\u2019s \u201cFriends\u201d for 10 seasons, was found dead at his Los Angeles home on Saturday. He was 54.
\u201cThis truly is The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken,\u201d \u201cFriends\u201d co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane, along with executive producer Kevin Bright, said in a joint statement Sunday.
\u201cWe are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by our beloved friend Matthew\u2019s passing,\u201d Kauffman, Crane and Bright wrote. \u201cWe 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.\u201d
Perry\u2019s family also gave a statement to People Magazine, writing that they are heartbroken by the loss.
\u201cMatthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend,\u201d the family said. \u201cYou all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.\u201d
Others, some who knew him, some who didn\u2019t, 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.
\u201cI\u2019ll 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,\u201d Trudeau wrote. \u201cThanks for all the laughs, Matthew. You were loved \u2014 and you will be missed.\u201d
Perry\u2019s mother served as press secretary to Trudeau\u2019s 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\u2019d never met him, there is a strange thing that happens sometimes when an entertainer dies that makes you feel personally sad.
\u201cI just want to say how much I love what he did for us,\u201d she said to the cheering crowd.
Saturday Night Live also showed a tribute card for Perry during the weekend\u2019s episode. Perry once hosted the show, in 1997, which featured one sketch where he played Matt LeBlanc\u2019s character Joey and Colin Quinn played Chandler.
Fairchild, who played Chandler\u2019s mother on \u201cFriends\u201d wrote on X, that she was \u201cheartbroken about the untimely death of my \u2018son\u2019.\u201d
\u201cThe loss of such a brilliant young actor is a shock. I\u2019m sending love & condolences to his friends & family, especially his dad,\u201d Fairchild wrote.
She had also worked with Perry\u2019s father, actor John Bennett Perry, on several television series.
Another frequent \u201cFriends\u201d co-star, Maggie Wheeler, who played his girlfriend Janice, wrote, \u201cThe joy you brought to so many in your too short lifetime will live on. I feel very blessed by every creative moment we shared.\u201d
Selma Blair, who also appeared on an episode of \u201cFriends,\u201d posted on Instagram that she was \u201cbroken hearted.\u201d
\u201cMy oldest boy friend,\u201d Blair wrote. \u201cAll of us loved Matthew Perry, and I did especially. Every day. I loved him unconditionally. And he me. And I\u2019m broken. Broken hearted. Sweet dreams Matty. Sweet dreams.\u201d
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 \u201cThe Odd Couple,\u201d wrote on X that for two years, \u201cMatthew Perry was my boss, my colleague, and a giving, kind, funny man. I pray and hope he is at peace.\u201d
Shannen Doherty shared a photo on Instagram and reflected on their friendship, which extended back to an appearance on \u201cBeverly Hills 90210,\u201d and included a Valentine\u2019s Day date in Malibu once.
\u201cWe were a gang way back. We all grew up together going to the Formosa \u2026 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,\u201d Doherty wrote. \u201cI could be more poetic or say things better but right now, shock and sadness prevail.\u201d
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 \u201cFriends\u201d pilot had been shot but not yet aired. The actor and lifestyle guru recalled Perry as funny, sweet and fun to be with.
\u201cWe 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,\u201d she wrote. \u201cI am super sad today, as so many of us are. I hope Matthew is at peace at long last. I really do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n