Following the news of Matthew Perry’s death, Friends fans are flocking to social media to express their heartbreak for the loss of the Chandler actor.
Matthew Perry has died at the age of 54 and Friends fans are sharing their shock over the sudden loss. Perry starred alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow as Chandler Bing, the sarcastic member of the group and roommate to LeBlanc’s Joey Tribbiani. Nearly 20 years after the show ended, it was reported on October 28 that Perry had died at his Los Angeles home from an apparent drowning after being found in his hot tub.
Following the tragic news, fans of the Friends actor took to social media to express their heartbreak for Perry’s death. Many shared their fond memories of turning to the show as a form of comfort specifically for his character while others shared their love for his other projects. Some of the reactions can be viewed below:
Pop Culture Posts praised Perry’s work as Chandler as “one of the best comedic performances and comfort characters in television” and expressing their hope that the actor knew the impact he had on viewers.
Horror filmmaker Joe Russo shared a sweet sentiment that Perry was “all of our friend to the end” and expressing feeling pain over the news.
@PopCuture2000s shared a highlight reel of some of Perry’s best moments as Chandler in the show, paired with a message of “rest in peace”.
Film Updates offered a similar message, with photos of Perry’s time on the show, including the famous moment of him listening to Lionel Richie’s self-named 1982 album.
@isabelsconnie posted a montage of clips of Chandler in some of the happiest moments in the show, calling him “one of my favorite characters of all time” and expressing that Perry was “able to put a smile on my face when no one else could.”
@OcksWRLD echoed Russo’s sentiment by expressing that the news of Perry’s death “sucks” and called the actor “an absolute icon & legend.”
@svlmonskilrolls reflected on their first time watching Friends and “falling in love with Chandler Bing”, calling it “something I will forever hold dear” and finding himself “beyond distraught”.
Former journalist Danny Deraney shared a clip from Friends season 4, episode 6, “The One with the Dirty Girl,” in which Chandler and Joey’s girlfriend Kathy, played by Paget Brewster, discuss the gift he secretly got for Joey to give to her for her birthday, turning down her subtle advances with the message that “Joey is my best friend,” and calling Perry “a good man, terrific actor and kind human being.”
Journalist Patrick Bromley invited those saddened by Perry’s death to watch the comedy The Whole Nine Yards, in which he co-starred with Bruce Willis, praising the movie and his performance as “a great, underappreciated comic performance.”
@lovqains shared a similar musical montage of clips from the show that highlights some of Chandler’s more sarcastic moments and recalling him as “such a comfort character growing up.”
@chndlerz expressed the feeling that both Perry and Chandler “always wanted to make us laugh” and expressing that they “will always love” the late actor, feeling that he’s “at peace now.”
Why Friends’ Chandler Remains One Perry’s Most Beloved Role
Even as the actor went on to find acclaim with the likes of the aforementioned The Whole Nine Yards and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Perry’s role as Chandler on Friends has remained arguably the most beloved role in his filmography. One of the biggest reasons for this was the character’s often-sarcastic personality. This even carried over into his appearance as a host on Saturday Night Live, with a sketch featuring the likes of Will Ferrell and Norm Macdonald in which he was the professor for Sarcasm 101.
Rather than let this turn into a one-dimensional character, though, Perry frequently highlighted his range for more dramatic moments in Friends. Showing vulnerability in the right moments, including his interaction with Kathy featured in Deraney’s post above, as well as his passionate speech to Anna Faris’ Erica to allow him and Monica to adopt her child, his emotional reaction to Monica’s proposal and heartbreaking delivery of the news she’s infertile, Perry proved Chandler was much more than a joke-delivery figure.
While the entire cast can be credited for the show’s long-standing popularity, including its infamous bidding war over streaming rights, Perry’s work as Chandler on Friends remains one of the more beloved elements of the show. His quick wit has been one of the more comforting things for fans of the show to rewatch over the years, as well as the authentic bond he displays with his various cast members across its 10 seasons.
