Hollywood is in mourning after news broke that Matthew Perry died on Saturday, Oct. 28. He was 54.
According to TMZ, who spoke to law enforcement, the Friends star was found dead at his house in Los Angeles, California. According to The Los Angeles Times, he was found dead in a hot tub. The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to ET that an autopsy was conducted and foul play is not suspected at this time. The cause of his death has been deferred pending toxicology results.
ET has reached out to Perry’s reps for comment.
He is survived by his mother, Suzanne Marie Morrison, and his father, John Bennett Perry.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother,” his family said in a statement to People. “Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend.”
Continued the statement, “You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.”
Since the news broke, celebrities, fans and Perry’s television peers have been flooding social media with tributes to the beloved actor, who starred as Chandler Bing for 10 seasons on the beloved NBC sitcom Friends.
On Sunday, Friends co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane, and executive producer Kevin Bright shared a statement with ET.
“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,” read the statement. “He was a brilliant talent. 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.”
Paying homage to the iconic sitcom, the co-creators concluded, “We send all of our love to his family and friends. This truly is The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken.”
Warner Bros. Television Group also told ET in a statement, “We are devastated by the passing of our dear friend Matthew Perry. Matthew was an incredibly gifted actor and an indelible part of the Warner Bros. Television Group family. The impact of his comedic genius was felt around the world, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of so many. This is a heartbreaking day, and we send our love to his family, his loved ones, and all of his devoted fans.”
From Rumer Willis — whose father, Bruce Willis, starred alongside Perry in The Whole Nine Yards — to Olivia Munn and Lucy Hale, see the heartfelt, emotional messages in honor of the actor.
Elizabeth Hurley
“RIP Matthew Perry. So sad to hear the news of his passing. He was an incredibly talented comedian and a lovely man x,” Hurley wrote of her Serving Sara co-star.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Paltrow reflected on her memories with Perry, writing, “I met Matthew Perry in 1993 at the Williamstown Theater Festival in Massachusetts. We were both there for most of the summer doing plays. He was so funny and so sweet and so much fun to be with. We 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. He had shot the pilot of Friends but it had not aired yet. He was nervous, hoping his big break was just around the corner. It was. We stayed friends for a while until we drifted apart, but I was always happy to see him when I did. I am super sad today, as so many of us are. I hope Matthew is at peace at long last. I really do.”
Brooke Shields
The famed model and Friends guest star took to Instagram to mourn Perry’s death, saying, “Really struggling to find the words. You were so loved, Matthew. I loved you dearly. Thank you for the belly laughs. You brought joy to so many. We already miss you… sending all of my love to your family & friends.”
Lauren Tom
Tom, who played Julie on Friends, took to social media to share a heartfelt tribute to Perry, saying, “When a colleague and contemporary passes, it’s such a sobering shock. Let’s hold our loved ones close as we mourn this beautiful, gifted, soul who struggled mightily and brought joy to so many.”
John Ross Bowie
Fellow actor John Ross Bowie took to Instagram to share a story about how Perry helped him stay sober when he had quite drinking 13 years ago. “He was clearly something my higher power sent to me on a fidgety autumn evening, 13 years ago.
I’m glad he is at peace.. May his memory be a blessing.”
Nicole Sullivan
Harry Connick Jr.
Laura Benanti
“Matty was a generous, brilliant man of unparalleled talent,” she tells ET. “I feel grateful to have known him.”
Lucy Hale
Delilah Belle Hamlin
Sarah Ferguson
“I remember being thrilled to have met a natural talent, comedian and brilliant actor. It is a tragedy to lose you so early in life, rest in peace dear Matthew … you have given so much joy and laughter to so many.”
Olivia Munn
Melissa Rivers
Rumer Willis
Piers Morgan
George Takei
Mira Sorvino
Sterling Knight
Brad Garrett
Selma Blair
Rosie O’Donnell
Ian Ziering
Lindsay Sloane
Octavia Spencer
Kelly Rizzo
Kerry Washington
Siobhan Fallon Hogan
Thomas Lennon
Melora Hardin
Kathleen Turner
“I was proud to play his ‘Dad,'” his Friends co-star said in a statement to ET.
For more on the life and legacy of Perry, check out the links below.
Friends
Maggie Wheeler
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