Tributes Flow as Celebrities React to Matthew Perry's Passing at 54, Including 'Friends' Co-Stars and More

Gone but not forgotten. Celebrities are taking to social media to react to the news of Matthew Perry’s death on October 28, 2023. The Friends alum reportedly died after an apparent drowning at his home in Los Angeles, according to TMZ.

Those who knew Matthew personally — including his ex-flings Gwyneth Paltrow and Julia Roberts— and stars who were simply fans of the actor have given heartfelt reactions to the news of his death.

In addition to individual tributes from Matthew’s costars Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer, his five main Friends castmates issued a joint statement regarding the loss of their friend.

“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family,” the cast of Friends wrote in their October 30 statement, originally obtained by People.

Adele was performing in Las Vegas when news broke about Matthew’s death. She stopped her show to honor him.

“He was so open with his struggles with addiction and sobriety, which I think is incredibly, incredibly brave,” Adele said. She also discussed his work as Chandler Bing on Friends and added, “I’ll remember that character for the rest of my life. He’s probably the best comedic character of all time.”
DAVID SCHWIMMER

Matthew’s Friends costar David Schwimmer paid tribute to his late friend in a November 15 Instagram post. Under a throwback photo of the two posing together on the set of the hit sitcom, David injected a bit of humor into his touching message to Matthew.

“Matty, Thank you for ten incredible years of laughter and creativity. ​I will never forget your impeccable comic timing and delivery. You could take a straight line of dialogue and bend it to your will, resulting in something so entirely original and unexpectedly funny it still astonishes,” David wrote in his tribute. “And you had heart. Which you were generous with, and shared with us, so we could create a family out of six strangers.”

David described the photo as “one of [his] favorite moments” with the actor, but one that now “makes [him] smile and grieve at the same time.”

He ended his message with, “I imagine you up there, somewhere, in the same white suit, hands in your pockets, looking around — ‘Could there BE any more clouds?’”

JENNIFER ANISTON, COURTENEY COX, MATT LEBLANC, LISA KUDROW AND DAVID SCHWIMMER

The Friends “family” ​issued a joint statement on October 30.

“In time we will say more, as and when we are able,” the statement read. “For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”