As Tributes to Matthew Perry Pour in, the World Awaits Word From His ‘Friends’ Co-Stars

Tributes to Matthew Perry have been flooding in since the news of his death broke Saturday. As reported by TMZ, the Friends actor was found unresponsive in the jacuzzi of his home in Los Angeles. No foul play was suspected. An autopsy was completed and its results are pending a toxicology report, according to People.

The public tributes to Perry have been extensive and wide-ranging—from his pickleball coach to Fergie (not she of the Black Eyed Peas, but of the British royal family). Friends co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane along with executive producer Kevin Bright shared a statement that read in part: “He was always the funniest person in the room. More than that, he was the sweetest, with a giving and selfless heart.” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau eulogized his former classmate on social media. (In his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, Perry wrote about beating up Trudeau in his youth.) Gwyneth Paltrow posted a shot of Perry on Instagram, recalling a “magical summer” she spent with Perry in 1993. Ione Skye shared her last text exchange with Perry. The many, many other stars paying their respects have included SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher, Kathleen Turner (who portrayed Perry’s parent on Friends), Hank Azaria (who credited Perry as the person who brought him to AA for the first time), Elizabeth Hurley, Yvette Nicole Brown, and Shannen Doherty.

Perry’s family issued the following statement: “We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother. Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend. You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.”

At the time of the publication of this post, Perry’s Friends co-stars have yet to weigh in—Page Six reports that an industry source told them, “The cast is reeling from the loss of their brother, because that’s what Matty was — their brother.” The outlet adds that Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, and Lisa Kudrow are preparing a joint statement.

In his aforementioned memoir, Perry wrote frankly about his addiction issues, estimating that he spent “upward of $7 million trying to get sober” and that by the end of the third season of Friends, he was taking up to 55 Vicodin a day (and if he didn’t, he’d get sick). He begins his book with: “Hi my name is Matthew, although you may know me by another name. My friends call me Matty. And I should be dead.” He also wrote: “It is very odd to live in a world where if you died, it would shock people but surprise no one.” Oddly, his last Instagram post, from October 23, is of him sitting in a jacuzzi (apparently the one he died in). “Oh, so warm water swirling around makes you feel good? I’m Mattman,” reads the caption.

• In other celebrity deaths, Night Court’s Richard Moll died Thursday at age 80. [The Hollywood Reporter]
• Britney Spears said a second volume of her mega-selling memoir is due out next year. Wouldn’t it be wild if Spears saved the publishing industry? [Variety]
• Celebrity Halloween costumes, get your celebrity Halloween costume here (at Kendall Jenner’s party). [ET Online]
• Tessica “Gorilla Glue Girl” Brown is engaged. Hopefully to a nail polish remover heir! [TMZ]
• The weekend domestic box office was ruled by sadistic animatronic bandmates as Five Nights at Freddy’s ruled with some $78 million (despite it being available for streaming). [Deadline]