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Years-old memories have resurfaced for Hollywood stars who spent time with and around Matthew Perry before his death at age 54 on Saturday, Oct. 28. The actor has been remembered across industries by musicians like Charlie Puth and Adele, but also by the community he fostered across film and television, both before and after becoming the ever-quotable Chandler Bing on Friends.
“Two days ago, I woke up to the shocking news that Matthew Perry is no longer with us. It’s taken me a couple of days to process this profound sadness,” Salma Hayek, who starred alongside Perry in 1997’s Fools Rush In, wrote on Instagram. “There is a special bond that happens when you share dreams with someone, and together you work towards them.”
She continued: “I was very moved last year when Matthew shared on his Instagram stories how much he loved ‘Fools Rush In,’ and how he thought that that film we did together was probably his best movie. Throughout the years, he and I found ourselves reminiscing about that meaningful time in our lives with a deep sense of nostalgia and gratitude. My friend, you are gone much too soon, but I will continue to cherish your silliness, your perseverance, and your lovely heart. Farewell, sweet Matthew, we will never forget you.”
On Sunday evening, Gwyneth Paltrow looked back on the time she spent with Perry just before his breakout role on Friends. “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,” she wrote in the caption beneath an old photo of Perry shared on Instagram. “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.”
Paltrow explained that, at the time, the actor had filmed the pilot episode of Friends, but it hadn’t yet aired. “He was nervous, hoping his big break was just around the corner,” she continued. “It was.” Paltrow and Perry, as she explained, remained friends for a period of time before drifting apart. “I was always happy to see him when I did,” she concluded. “I am super sad today, as so many of us are. I hope Matthew is at peace at long last. I really do.”
Knowing many mourning Perry’s death will be revisiting Friends, Max has added a tribute card to the beginning of each season of the series. It reads: “In memory of Matthew Perry 1969-2023.” The streaming service is currently home to all 10 seasons of the sitcom. In the hours following news of his death, Friends co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane and executive producer Kevin Bright shared moving remembrances of the actor.
“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,” they shared in a 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.”
Fellow sitcom star Fran Drescher also paid tribute to Perry on Sunday night. “So sad that on the eve of the brightest moon we lost one of our brightest stars,” she wrote on Instagram. “A brilliant comedian but a sad clown.” While she didn’t know the actor personally, she added, “as Chandler he will always be a ‘friend.’ May you RIP dear one. Your talent will continue to make us laugh… health is wealth.”
Yvette Nicole Brown, who worked alongside Perry for two years on The Odd Couple, shared a cast photo on X (formerly Twitter) with the late actor front and center. “Our #OddCouple family suffered a great loss today. The entire entertainment world has,” she wrote. “I am too sad about the news to say more than this: @mattyperry4 was a sweetheart who deserved more peace in this life. 54 is too young to go. We love you, Matty!”
One moment in particular from Perry’s career stuck with actress Lisa Ann Walter, who had a recurring role on the CBS series. “In The Whole Nine Yards – Matthew Perry runs full force into a patio door – that and the scene that followed is one of the top comedic moments I’ve witnessed,” she shared on X (formerly Twitter). “I told him so when I recurred on The Odd Couple. He smiled so big I thought he’d crack his face. It was beautiful.”
Regardless of whether they were series regulars or recurring characters, and even those with minor guest appearances, the actors who spent time with Perry on set carry with them the impact of knowing him. “Really struggling to find the words. You were so loved, Matthew. I loved you dearly,” Brooke Shields, who appeared in a 1996 episode of Friends, wrote on social media. “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.”
Aisha Tyler was only in nine episodes of Friends, but can still recall the words of encouragement Perry shared with her before her very first appearance. “He had a gentleness and generosity of spirit that was unparalleled. I learned how to tell a joke perfectly just by watching him work,” she wrote on Instagram. “And I will never forget the moment he leaned in, on my first night of taping Friends, to tell me warmly, ‘get ready for your life to change.’ Rest well, Matthew Perry. Thank you for the kindness and laughter.”
Maggie Wheeler — the actress behind Chandler Bings’ nasally on-again off-again girlfriend Janice Hosenstein — shared her remembrance on Instagram, writing: “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.”
For 20 episodes, Elliott Gould appeared on Friends as Jack Geller, who would go on to become Chandler Bing’s father-in-law. The 85-year-old actor shared a post remembering his earliest encounter with Perry, who he describes as “kind, thoughtful, smart, funny, and just a terrifically, talented actor.”
“I was saddened to hear the news about Matthew Perry‘s passing. I first met Matthew in 1994 when I joined the NBC sitcom Friends,” Gould continued. “Matthew told me he was so honored to be working with me. What he didn’t know until I told him, was that it was my privilege to play his father-in-law. My heart goes out to his wonderful family. He will be missed by so many but he will never be forgotten.”
Allison Janney, who starred in Perry’s ABC comedy Mr. Sunshine, took to Instagram to share a tribute of her own, writing: “He’s gone too soon. I’m so sad for his loss and so grateful that I had the honor of working with him many times in my career. He was a comic genius. He brought me so much joy and laughter and also comfort and support through a difficult time.”
Christina Ricci was only connected to the world of Friends tangentially as an actress, having appeared on the spin-off series Joey in the early 2000s. Still, Perry’s influence reached her, too. “I burst into tears when I read the news today. I never met Matthew Perry, but I loved him. Friends saved me numerous times during hard and lonely times in my life. I adored his character and wanted to marry Chandler Bing as a teenager,” she shared on Instagram Sunday evening. “I watched all his movies. He was a genius. I downloaded his book and read the whole thing on my cross country flight today. I’m heartbroken this man suffered so much in life while giving us so much of himself. Read his book. It’s another gift he gave us. If you’re struggling with addiction issues it might just save your life. May he finally rest in peace.”
In a separate post on Instagram, Octavia Spencer shared: “I’m incredibly saddened to hear of Matthew Perry’s passing today. His gift to the world will be remembered forever. Sending love to Matthew’s family, friends, co-stars and millions of fans around the world.”
On Tuesday, John Stamos remembered Perry’s kindness during his surprise cameo on Friends during the show’s ninth season. “Matt whispers, ‘The audience is going go crazy when they see you! Get ready for some loud screams.’ I walk through the door… silence. I was so embarrassed,” recalled Stamos in an Instagram post. As he was about to head back to his dressing room and “quit showbiz,” Perry walked over to the studio audience and hyped them up, “Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for John Stamos! You guys probably didn’t recognize him at first because he’s so much better looking in person!” Stamos continued, “I never forgot that and the world will never forget you.”
