Tributes, tears flow as Hollywood mourns Matthew Perry

Tributes have poured in for Matthew Perry following his untimely passing at his home in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles at the age of 54.

Perry, who first rose to fame by portraying the iconic character Chandler Bing on the beloved sitcom “Friends” when he was just 24 years old, tragically lost his life due to an apparent drowning in a hot tub, according to law enforcement sources cited by Fox News Digital. No drugs were discovered at the scene, and foul play is not suspected.

Marta Kauffman and David Crane, the co-creators of “Friends,” as well as executive producer Kevin Bright, expressed their shock and profound sadness in a statement to Fox News Digital: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend, Matthew. It still feels utterly unreal. All we can say is that we feel privileged to have had him as part of our lives.”

“He possessed extraordinary talent. While it’s a cliché to say that an actor makes a role their own, in Matthew’s case, there is no more accurate description. From the moment we first heard him bring Chandler Bing to life, there was no one else for us. We will forever cherish the joy, the light, and the remarkable wit he brought to every moment – not only in his work but in life as well. He was consistently the funniest person in the room. Beyond that, he was the kindest, with a generous and selfless heart. Our love and condolences go out to his family and friends. This truly is the moment when our hearts break.”

Perry’s family shared their heartbreak with People magazine: “We are devastated by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother, Matthew. He brought immense joy to the world, both through his acting and his friendships. You all meant so much to him, and we are deeply grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of love.”

Gwyneth Paltrow, who shared a memorable connection with Perry in the early ’90s, took to Instagram to post a photo of the actor and recounted their special moments: “I met Matthew Perry in 1993 at the Williamstown Theater Festival in Massachusetts. We spent most of the summer there, doing plays. He was hilarious, sweet, and incredibly fun to be around. We went on adventures, swam in creeks, enjoyed beers at the local college bar, and shared kisses in a field of tall grass. It was a truly magical summer.”

“He had just filmed the pilot of ‘Friends,’ which hadn’t aired yet. He was nervous, hoping his big break was on the horizon. It was. Our friendship continued for a time until we drifted apart, but I always cherished our encounters. Today, like many others, I am deeply saddened. I hope Matthew has found peace at last. I truly do.”

Valerie Bertinelli, another of Perry’s former romantic partners, shared a photo of him on her Instagram story with a heartfelt message: “Rest in peace, dear man.”

Shannen Doherty, who shared the screen with Perry on “Beverly Hills 90210,” posted an old photo of him on Instagram, reflecting on their close bond: “We were a close-knit group back in the day… We played pranks, and Matt had to say ridiculous things to girls at the bar. We always had fun and supported one another. You’d often find us together in a booth, speaking our own unique language. And yes, Matt always had THAT sense of humor.”

“Matt and I even had a Valentine’s Day date. He wanted to book a table at a restaurant in Malibu, but couldn’t secure one, so my dad arranged it for him. During the evening, he kept talking about my dad’s Irish persuasiveness. Our friendship spanned a long time—basically a lifetime. I know many are grieving, especially our little group. He will be missed by many, especially us. Right now, shock and sorrow are prevalent.”

Timothy Busfield, who shared the screen with and directed Perry in “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” paid tribute to his late friend: “Matthew Perry was a treasure… He was a kind, good-hearted man with a quick and incisive wit that left us in stitches. We will miss him deeply, not only by the millions of devoted fans but also by the coworkers and friends who had the pleasure of working with him.”

Mira Sorvino expressed her shock and sadness on social media, writing: “Oh no!!! Matthew Perry!! You sweet, troubled soul!! May you find peace and happiness in Heaven, making everyone laugh with your unique wit!!”

Octavia Spencer conveyed her sadness on Instagram: “I’m incredibly saddened to learn of Matthew Perry’s passing today. His contribution to the world will be remembered forever. Sending love to Matthew’s family, friends, co-stars, and the millions of fans around the world.”

Selma Blair shared her heartfelt emotions on Instagram: “My oldest friend. We all loved Matthew Perry, but I especially did. Always. Unconditionally. And he loved me in return. And I’m shattered. My heart is broken. Goodnight, Matty. Goodnight.”

Maggie Wheeler, known for her role as Janice, Chandler Bing’s on-and-off girlfriend on “Friends,” expressed her sorrow: “What a loss. The world will miss you, Matthew Perry. The joy you brought to so many in your too-short life will endure. I feel immensely blessed by every creative moment we shared.”

The official “Friends” show and Warner Bros. TV shared their grief on Instagram: “We are devastated by the news of Matthew Perry’s passing. He was a true gift to all of us. Our thoughts go out to his family, loved ones, and his countless fans.”

NBC also joined the chorus of tributes, stating: “We are deeply saddened by the untimely passing of Matthew Perry. He brought immense joy to countless people worldwide with his perfect comedic timing and clever humor. His legacy will live on through generations.”

Morgan Fairchild, who played Chandler’s mother on the show, expressed her heartbreak on social media, remembering her ‘son’: “I’m heartbroken about the untimely death of my ‘son,’ Matthew Perry. The loss of such a brilliant young actor is a shock. I’m sending love and condolences to his friends and family, especially his dad, John Bennett Perry, with whom I worked on ‘Flamingo Road’ and ‘Falcon Crest.'”

Rumer Willis, the daughter of Perry’s “The Whole Nine Yards” co-star Bruce Willis, shared her memories on her Instagram story: “I’m deeply saddened to hear about Matthew Perry’s passing. When I was a child and visited the set while he and my dad were filming ‘The Whole Nine Yards’ and ‘The Whole Ten Yards,’ he was kind, funny, and sweet to my sisters and me. His physical comedy in those movies still makes me laugh to this day.”

“I know he faced many challenges in his life but brought so much joy to people through his comedy. I hope he can finally rest in peace.”

Olivia Munn shared her sorrow on social media, paying tribute to Perry’s bravery in openly discussing his struggles with addiction: “Oh no 😢. He struggled so much with addiction and was brave enough to be open and honest about it. I’m so sorry for his family and friends who are hearing this news today. Nothing short of heartbreaking. Rest in