‘Friends’ guest co-stars react to Matthew Perry’s death

The sudden death of “Friends” star Matthew Perry shocked fans and celebrities alike, with many of the beloved sitcom’s guest stars paying tribute to him via social media.

Perry died of an apparent drowning incident at his California home on Saturday. He was 54.

He famously portrayed the sarcastic and charming Chandler Bing on “Friends” alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer.

“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family,” the cast wrote in a joint statement, obtained by People on Monday. “There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.”

“In time we will say more, as and when we are able,” the statement continued. “For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”

His co-stars from his other projects, including Salma Hayek and Ione Skye, have also reacted to his death.

“Friends” ran on NBC for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004. See below which guest stars of the famed sitcom have spoken out about Perry so far.

Aisha Tyler

Aisha Tyler, 53, who appeared on “Friends” as both Joey’s (Matt LeBlanc) and Ross’ (David Schwimmer) love interest Charlie Wheeler during Seasons 9 and 10, remembered Perry via Instagram on Saturday.

“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. “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.”

Christina Ricci

Christina Ricci, 43, who portrayed Joey’s sister Mary-Theresa on Season 1 of the show, also addressed Perry’s death Sunday on Instagram, writing, “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,” the “Wednesday” star continued. “I adored his character and wanted to marry Chandler Bing as a teenager. 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.”

Hank Azaria

Hank Azaria, 59, who played David, Phoebe’s (Lisa Kudrow) on-and-off love interest in “Friends,” spoke about Perry in a heartfelt video posted to Instagram on Sunday.

“Matthew was the first friend I made in Los Angeles when I moved there. I was 21, he was 16,” Azaria began, calling Perry “the funniest man ever.”

“Matthew and I became really good friends and we were really more like brothers for a long time. We drank a lot together, we laughed a lot together, we were there for each other in the early days of our career,” he continued.

“The Simpsons” star added, “I really loved him. A lot of us who were close to him felt like we lost him to drugs and alcohol a long time ago because — as he documented in his autobiography — there was so much suffering. I had to pick up and put down that biography, like, 11 times, it was so painful for me to read.”

Maggie Wheeler 

Maggie Wheeler, known for playing Chandler’s on-again, off-again girlfriend Janice with a skin-crawling laugh, took to Instagram to express her condolences. 

“What a loss. The world will miss you Matthew 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.” 

Selma Blair

Selma Blair, 51, who played Wendy in the show’s ninth season, shared a post on Instagram.

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

Kathleen Turner

Kathleen Turner, 69, who played Chandler’s transgender father, spoke to People on Monday about the good times she experienced with her TV son.

“He came to see one of my Broadway shows and he came backstage,” Turner revealed. “When he saw me, he yelled out, ‘Hey dad’ and everyone thought it was pretty cool. I think it was for ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.’”

Although Turner admitted the last time she saw Perry was “at least 10 years ago,” his personality always stuck with her.

“I liked him,” she said. “He had a good sense of humor and a good heart. He liked other people, which, to me, is terribly important, especially for an actor. It’s extremely sad when you think about how young [he was] and a pity he couldn’t get more control.”

Morgan Fairchild

Morgan Fairchild, 73, who portrayed Chandler’s mom on “Friends,” appeared on “CNN This Morning,” on Monday.

“The show was not a huge hit yet when I started working on it,” she recalled about working with the late Perry. “He came bounding over to me, literally bounding like a big puppy and said, ‘Oh, you won’t remember me. I used to visit you on the set of ‘Flamingo Road’ and ‘Falcon Crest’ with my dad!’”

She described Perry as “warm,” “wonderful, “funny” and a “creative” person. She said she was surprised to realize that it was almost 30 years ago that they worked together.

“We’ve all grown up together,” she added. “The audience has grown up with Matt as their best friend, the person they wanted to be, the person they wanted to meet, know and have as a friend.”

Paget Brewster

Paget Brewster, 54, appeared as Chandler’s girlfriend Kathy on Season 4 of “Friends.”

“I’m so very sad to hear about @MatthewPerry,” she wrote Saturday on X, the platform previously known as Twitter.

“He was lovely to me on Friends and every time I saw him in the decades after. Please read his book. It was his legacy to help,” she added. “He won’t rest in peace though.. He’s already too busy making everyone laugh up there.”