Matthew Perry death: FRIENDS' co-star Maggie Wheeler aka Janice pays tribute

Matthew Perry aka Chandler Bing of the popular sitcom FRIENDS was found dead at his apartment on Saturday, October 28, as per the new agency Agence France-Presse. He was 54. Reportedly, the Emmy-nominated actor died of an apparent drowning at his Los Angeles home. Perry became Hollywood's most recognizable actor owing to his hit show, co-starring Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow and David Schwimmer as a friend group in New York. Soon after the news broke, his FRIENDS' co-stars took to their social media handles to pay tribute to the late actor.

FRIENDS' co-stars pay tribute to Matthew Perry

Maggie Wheeler, who played the role of his girlfriend, Janice Hosenstein, dropped a throwback photo from the show and penned a heartfelt note expressing her disbelief. Her note read, "What a loss.The world will miss you Mathew 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. "

The official Instagram pages of FRIENDS and production house Warner Bros. TV also dropped a joint heartfelt post calling the late actor a "true gift" that happened to them. "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," read the note.

Hollywood stars mourn the death of Matthew Perry

Other than FRIENDS' co-stars, several stars have taken to their social media handles to condole the death and pay their last tributes to the late actor. Piers Morgan took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, “RIP Matthew Perry, 54. The Friends star was a great actor, but by his own admission, a very tormented guy. His recent autobiography about his addiction-ravaged life was one of the most powerful, honest and revealing I’ve ever read. Such sad news.(sic)”

Meredith Salenger, who had known Perry since they were 16-year-old, posted pictures with the actor and wrote, “Oh no no no no no! Matty! Oh man. My heart breaks. Matty...Matthew and I have known each other since were were 16 years old. Oh man. No words. Rest in peace sweet @MatthewPerry(sic)”

Sterling Knight, who co-starred with Matthew Perry in the film 17 Again (2009), wrote a lengthy note recalling his time with the actor. He wrote, "I was so lucky to be in this photo and more lucky still to have been a part of such an amazing cast. My first big job. Everyone was so kind and I made an utter ass of myself in front of my sitcom hero, @MatthewPerry. He was kind, genuine, offered advice and inspired confidence. I’ll always be a little bummed that we never got to play tennis, but heaven must’ve needed some sarcasm, and he was the best."

Indian celebs' tribute to Matthew Perry

Several Indian celebs such as Ranveer Singh, Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra have also offered their condolences. Check out their posts below:

More about Matthew Perry's role as Chandler Bing

In the show, he played a sarcastic yet insecure and neurotic roommate of Joey and Ross, played by Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer, respectively.  By the series' end, Chandler is married to Cox's Monica and they have a family, reflecting the journey of the core cast from single New Yorkers to married and starting families. The series was one of television’s biggest hits and has taken on a new life — and found surprising popularity with younger fans — in recent years on streaming services.

In 2021, they all reunited wherein they discussed the show and shared some behind-the-scene moments with their fans.