Friends star Maggie Wheeler leads tributes following Matthew Perry death

Friends star Matthew Perry has died at the age of 54 after he was found unresponsive at his California home. Several of his former castmates and Hollywood stars have been sharing tributes.

The actor was best known for his portrayal of Chandler Bing on the 90s hit sitcom, alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer and Lisa Kudrow.

News of Perry's death was first reported on Saturday (October 28). A Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson told BBC News that first responders were called to a private home in Pacific Palisades after reports of an unspecified "water emergency". Investigations continue.

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Among those paying tribute was Maggie Wheeler, who played Chandler's girlfriend Janice in the early seasons of Friends. "What a loss. The world will miss you Matthew Perry," she wrote on Instagram, alongside a picture of their characters in Friends.

"The joy you brought to so many in your too short lifetime will live on. I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared."

Morgan Fairchild, who portrayed Chandler's mother Nora Bing on the show. posted a heartfelt statement on X — formerly Twitter.

"I'm heartbroken about the untimely death of my 'son', Matthew Perry," she wrote. "The loss of such a brilliant young actor is a shock. I'm sending love & condolences to his friends & family, especially his dad, John Bennett Perry, who I worked with on Flamingo Road & Falcon Crest. #RIPMatthew."

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Selma Blair, who is a close friend of Perry's and who appeared with him in Friends in season 9, shared a picture of herself with him on Instagram, where she described how "broken hearted" she felt following the news.

She said: "My oldest boy friend. All of us loved Matthew Perry, and I did especially. Every day. I loved him unconditionally. And he me. And I'm broken. Broken hearted. Sweet dreams Matty. Sweet dreams."

NBC Entertainment, the network that aired Friends, also paid a heartfelt tribute to Matthew Perry, saying: "We are incredibly saddened by the too soon passing of Matthew Perry. He brought so much joy to hundreds of millions of people around the world with his pitch perfect comedic timing and dry wit.

"His legacy will live on through countless generations."

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