Celebrity Reactions to Matthew Perry's Death

Top 10 Celebrity Reactions to Matthew Perry’s Death

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be looking at some of the most notable public responses to the tragic passing of actor Matthew Perry.

Maggie Wheeler

Those who worked with Matthew Perry over the years have taken to social media to remember their time alongside the late actor. This includes Maggie Wheeler, who portrayed Chandler’s shrill-voiced ex-girlfriend Janice on the show, “Friends.” In a statement shared with NBC News, Wheeler recounted how “Matthew was an incredibly generous actor,” further saying “there was no single time I stepped onto a stage with him that I did not feel lifted by his brilliance.” Speaking on Perry’s documented battles with substance abuse, she additionally noted, in part, that she hoped he was “at peace beyond his suffering.”

Gwyneth Paltrow

A day after Perry’s passing, actress Gwyneth Paltrow shared a touching story of the actor from their early years in showbiz. She wrote about first meeting Perry in 1993 at a theater festival in Massachusetts where they were both doing plays for the summer. Paltrow recalled a “magical” time with Matthew that included swimming in creeks, having drinks at a college bar and even kissing in a long-grassed field. She also noted that Perry had just shot the “Friends” pilot and was nervous about whether this would be his big break. Of course, “Friends” premiered in September 1994 and would go on to make Matthew Perry a household name. Paltrow concluded her Instagram note hoping that Matthew was “at peace at long last.”

Hank Azaria

The famous “Simpson’s” voice actor paid tribute to his late friend Matthew Perry on social media with a heartfelt Instagram video message. In the post, Azaria opened up about his own struggles with addiction and revealed that it was Perry who first took him to AA. Sober for 17 years, he credits Matthew for helping him during difficult periods. The two had previously taken part in a failed TV pilot titled “Morning Maggie,” but stayed friends ever since. Azaria later appeared on Perry’s NBC sitcom “Friends” as Phoebe’s on-again-off-again boyfriend, David the scientist. He ended the emotional video by wishing that we all could have gotten to see what the “rest of his career would have been.”

Rumer Willis

Rumer Willis, actress and daughter to Hollywood royalty Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, shared a sentimental tribute to Matthew Perry on her own Instagram story. Rumer took the opportunity to recall her interactions with Perry on the set of "The Whole Nine Yards" and its sequel, “The Whole Ten Yards.” The films featured Matthew starring alongside her father, Bruce Willis. She recounted how Perry was “so kind, funny and sweet” with her and her sister on the movie sets. She went on to praise his physical comedy in the films and said that the movies still make her laugh today.

Morgan Fairchild

Like Maggie Wheeler, Morgan Fairchild worked alongside Matthew in a guest-starring role on “Friends.” But unlike Maggie, Morgan did not portray one of Chandler’s ex-girlfriends, but rather his mother, Nora Tyler Bing. On X, Fairchild channeled her motherly character by writing that she was “heartbroken” about the untimely death of her “son.” She also sent condolences to Perry’s friends and family, including his biological father, John Bennett Perry – whom she worked with on “Flamingo Road” and “Falcon Crest.” In a response to a user comment, she shared that Matthew would often visit both sets when he was a little kid. Her post was accompanied by a photo of the two actors as mother and son on “Friends.”

Christina Ricci

The celebrity reactions to Matthew Perry’s untimely death reach far beyond those that he worked with. In fact, many celebrities who never even met the actor have shared tributes. One such being actress Christina Ricci. Speaking to the impact Matthew had on those who only watched him from afar, Ricci admitted that she “burst into tears” when she read the news about his passing. Alongside a photo of Perry’s 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” Ricci revealed that the series “Friends” actually “saved her numerous times during hard and lonely times.” She further confessed her love for the character Chandler Bing, saying she wanted to marry him as a teenager.

Shannen Doherty

Shannen Doherty appeared alongside Matthew Perry when the late actor guested on the hit '90s teenage drama series, “Beverly Hills 90210.” But, it turns out, the pair also had a “lifetime of friendship” together. In an emotional Instagram post, Doherty revealed that the pair go way back as part of a group of friends who “always had fun and supported each other.” She recounted playing a game of dare where Matthew had to say “ridiculous” things to girls at a bar. Doherty fondly remembered Matthew’s sense of humor and silliness. She also spoke of her state of shock and sadness, acknowledging that many others were hurting as well.

Adele

If there was ever any wonder about Matthew Perry’s reach, singer/songwriter Adele actually paused her Las Vegas concert to pay tribute to the actor. On the night that his death was revealed, Adele took to the microphone to say, "I'll remember that character for the rest of my life" - speaking of Perry’s role as Chandler Bing on “Friends.” She also praised his openness as it related to his struggles with addiction and sobriety, calling it “incredibly brave.” The multi-Grammy Award winner further thanked him for “what he did for us, especially what he did for me.” She closed her remarks by saying she hopes “he can now rest in peace."

Justin Trudeau

The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, took to X to share a tribute to his former classmate. Yep, Trudeau, who attended the same elementary school as Perry in Ottawa, Ontario Canada, referred to his passing as “shocking and saddening.” He recalled schoolyard games that they used to play and spoke of the joy and laughter Matthew provided to many. Perry often lamented about his time with Justin Trudeau in school, even sharing a humorous story on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” about how he and his friends “beat Trudeau up” – something he was not proud of. In addition, the Ottawa Senators hockey club shared a video of Perry in attendance at a game in Ottawa, saying that they were saddened to learn about the passing of Matthew, a noted hockey fan.

Friends Cast

While celebrities of all types have shared their heartfelt messages on the passing of Matthew Perry, the world waited to hear from Perry’s 10-year co-stars and forever friends: Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer. The Friends cast mourned their fellow castmate in a joint statement sent to PEOPLE magazine saying, "We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family." They further stated that in time they will say more, but for now they are taking the moment to grieve this “unfathomable loss” and send their love to Perry’s family, friends, and fans. “Friends” Co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane - as well as executive producer Kevin Bright, perhaps said it best when they declared "This truly is The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken."


Which comments regarding Matthew Perry’s passing resonated with you the most? Share your own tributes in the comments below.