Friends stars Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer have paid tribute to Matthew Perry. Aniston, who played Rachel Green in the show, wrote in an Instagram post: “Oh boy this one has cut deep… Having to say goodbye to our Matty has been an insane wave of emotions that I’ve never experienced before. We all experience loss at some point in our lives. Loss of life or loss of love.”
Meanwhile, Schwimmer, who played Ross Geller in the sitcom, said: “Matty, thank you for ten incredible years of laughter and creativity. I will never forget your impeccable comic timing and delivery. And you had heart. Which you were generous with, and shared with us, so we could create a family out of six strangers.”
Perry, 54, died last month after an apparent drowning at his Los Angeles home. His death is being investigated by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office after a post-mortem examination with toxicology tests. He played the quick-witted Chandler Bing in the beloved sitcom between 1994 and 2004.
LeBlanc, who played Chandler’s best friend Joe Tribbiani in the show, said in an Instagram post on Tuesday that “the times we had together are honestly among the favorite times of my life”. In an emotional tribute, LeBlanc wrote: “I am so grateful for every moment I had with you Matty and I miss you every day.”
Courteney Cox, who played Chandler’s wife Monica Geller on Friends, said on Tuesday: “I am so grateful for every moment I had with you Matty and I miss you every day.” On Instagram, she shared what she described as one of her favorite moments with her friend “Matty”.
Tributes poured in following Perry’s death, including messages from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – who attended the same school as the actor – and Sarah, Duchess of York, who had a cameo appearance in Friends.
In a joint statement released after his death on 28 October, his Friends co-stars – LeBlanc, Courteney Cox, Aniston, Schwimmer, and Lisa Kudrow – said: “We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family.”
Perry was open about his battle with substance abuse and addiction, and set up a sober living facility for men with similar issues. A foundation has now been set up to help others struggling with the disease.