Beloved “Friends” star Matthew Perry passes away at 54

Matthew Perry, renowned for his portrayal of the quick-witted Chandler Bing on the iconic TV series Friends, has passed away at the age of 54.

Tragically, Perry was discovered lifeless in a hot tub at his Los Angeles residence on Saturday afternoon, as reported by the LA Times, citing information from law enforcement sources. His role as the sarcastic and humorous Chandler Bing on NBC’s Friends made him a globally recognized figure during the show’s ten-season run from 1994 to 2004.

Warner Bros TV, the production company behind Friends, expressed profound sorrow in a statement, remarking, “We are devastated by the passing of our dear friend Matthew Perry. The impact of his comedic genius was felt around the world, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of so many.” The company conveyed heartfelt condolences to Perry’s family, loved ones, and devoted fans.

Among his Friends co-stars, Maggie Wheeler, known for her role as Janice, Chandler’s on-and-off girlfriend, publicly mourned Perry’s passing. “I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared,” she wrote on Instagram.

In addition to his success on Friends, Perry showcased his talent in films like Fools Rush In and The Whole Nine Yards.

However, he had publicly addressed his battles with addiction, undergoing rehabilitation for painkillers and alcohol. In his 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” Perry detailed a severe health crisis in 2018, recounting a five-month hospitalization following a critical colon rupture, during which he believed his chances of survival to be merely 2 percent.