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Matthew Perry's family, Adele, Shannen Doherty pay tribute to 'Friends' star: 'Heartbroken'

​​​​​​​View Date:2024-12-24 04:20:59

Matthew Perry's family has spoken out on the death of the "Friends" actor.

"We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother," the family told People in an exclusive statement on Sunday. "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."

Adele, Shannen Doherty, Morgan Fairchild, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and "Saturday Night Live" also paid tribute to the star, who died Saturday at 54.

The singer delivered a lengthy remembrance at her Las Vegas residency after word broke of Perry's death. “He was so open with his struggles with addiction and sobriety, which I think is incredibly, incredibly brave,” Adele told her audience.

She fondly recalled a childhood pal who did a perfect impersonation of the actor's beloved "Friends" role as Chandler Bing. "I’ll remember that character for the rest of my life,” Adele said. "He's probably the best comedic character of all time."

Doherty, who appeared opposite Perry on "Beverly Hills 90210," described them as "lifetime" friends and shared a throwback photo on Instagram.

"We were a gang way back. … 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," she wrote. "I could be more poetic or say things better but right now, shock and sadness prevail."

Appreciation:Why Matthew Perry was 'Friends' with all of us: Remembering the iconic actor

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"SNL" paid respects by flashing a picture of Perry onscreen just before the evening's guest host, comedian Nate Bargatze, signed off live from the stage. Perry hosted "SNL" in October 1997.

Fairchild, 73, who played Chandler Bing's TV mom on the hit NBC series, wrote a tribute on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"I’m heartbroken about the untimely death of my 'son' Matthew Perry," Fairchild wrote. "The loss of such a brilliant young actor is a shock. I’m sending love & condolences to his friends & family, especially his dad, John Bennett Perry, who I worked with on Flamingo Road & Falcon Crest. #RIPMatthew."

Matthew Perry dies:'Friends' star and sitcom great was 54

Maggie Wheeler, 62, who starred as Perry's on-and-off girlfriend Janice Hosenstein throughout the 10-season run of "Friends," from 1994 to 2004, posted a tribute on Instagram featuring the TV couple in happy times.

"What a loss. The world will miss you Mathew Perry," Wheeler wrote. "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. ♥️"

"He was, and I use this term rarely, a genius," Rainn Wilson wrote on Instagram. Chandler was one of the all-time great characters and his ability to spin a slightly funny line into absolute comedy gold was unsurpassed."

Viola Davis expressed gratitude for Perry's honesty about addiction in his 2022 memoir. "Your book shifted so many close to my heart. The people no one sees and most throwaway. It was a gift," she wrote on Instagram. "Beyond the joy you brought to many, your heart reigned supreme."

Rumer Willis recalled being on the set of "The Whole Nine Yards" and sequel "The Whole Ten Yards" with Perry and her dad, Bruce Willis. "He was so kind and funny and sweet with my sisters and me," she wrote in an Instagram Story. "That movie still makes me laugh so much.”

Selma Blair, 51, posted a photograph smiling with Perry on her Instagram page, calling the "Friends" star "my oldest boy friend."

“All of us loved Matthew Perry, and I did especially. Every day,” Blair wrote. “I loved him unconditionally. And he me. And I’m broken. Broken hearted. Sweet dreams Matty. Sweet dreams.”

"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," the official "Friends" and Warner Bros. Instagram accounts posted.

Alyssa Milano, who co-starred with Perry in "Dance 'til Dawn," dubbed him "the funniest person in the room. And the KINDEST ... You made me cry-laugh."

Wendell Pierce, who appeared with Perry on a reboot of “The Odd Couple,” remembered Perry on X as "a giving, kind, funny man. I pray and hope he is at peace.”

"You sweet, troubled soul!! May you find peace and happiness in Heaven, making everyone laugh with your singular wit!!!" Mira Sorvino, who appeared with Perry in the 1994 TV movie "Parallel Lives," wrote on X.

Trudeau, who went to school with Perry, posted on X: "Matthew Perry’s passing is shocking and saddening. I’ll 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. Thanks for all the laughs, Matthew. You were loved – and you will be missed." (Perry's mother worked as press secretary for Trudeau's father, former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau,)

The account for the Ottawa Senators posted on X: "Saddened to learn about the passing of Matthew Perry, one of Ottawa’s proudest sons and 𝑡ℎ𝑒 biggest hockey fan."

Nancy Sinatra said: "Happy trails to you, Matt. Thanks for being you. Wishing you a peaceful journey home through the stars. If you loved Matthew Perry as I did read his book. You will learn a lot about him."

Author Stephanie Land wrote a tribute on X that many fans of "Friends" could relate to: "My comfort show when I'm traveling. Because no matter where you are, there's always an episode of Friends to keep you company if you can't sleep. We'll miss you, Matthew Perry. I hope you know that somehow."

The comedian Tom Green wrote on X: "Shocked and saddened to just hear about the passing of Matthew Perry ... He is one of the many talented and incredible success stories from my hometown of Ottawa, Canada. Rest in peace Matthew."

Perry co-starred on "Friends" for the entire 10-season run of what was then TV's No. 1 comedy. Though he went on to star in a number of films and TV series, including "17 Again" and "Mr. Sunshine," it was his role as Chandler Bing on "Friends," opposite Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc, that defined his career.

Contributing: Bryan Alexander, Kim Willis

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