"Beloved Friends Star, Matthew Perry, Found Dead at 54"

Today, fans around the globe mourn the untimely passing of iconic actor Matthew Perry, best known for his portrayal of the lovable, wisecracking character, Chandler Bing, on the decade-long NBC hit show, Friends. Perry was found dead in the hot tub of his Los Angeles residence on Saturday afternoon, confirmed by law enforcement sources as reported by the LA Times. He was just 54.

Matthew Perry's work in the global phenomenon Friends, produced by Warner Bros TV, elevated him to be one of the most recognisable faces across the globe. The show, adored by millions, ran for an impressive 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004.

Devastated by the news, Warner Bros TV, in an official statement said, “The impact of Matthew Perry's comedic genius was felt around the world, and his enduring legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of so many. We offer our deepest condolences to his family, his loved ones, and all of his dedicated fans.”

Among the first to publicly react from his Friends family was Maggie Wheeler, who played Janice, Chandler Bing's loud, shrill-voiced, on-again, off-again partner. Expressing her sorrow, she wrote, “I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared,” on Instagram.

Besides Friends, Perry had a successful career starring in films such as Fools Rush In and The Whole Nine Yards. The actor, however, despite his fame and success, had his share of struggles. In his 2022 memoir titled Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, Perry shared his battle with addiction along with a hospitalisation period of five months following a 2018 colon rupture.

His loss marks a sombre day in Hollywood as the industry loses a valued member, and the world loses an adored entertainer.