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The world is mourning the loss of Matthew Perry, beloved for his iconic portrayal of Chandler Bing on the hit TV series “Friends.” One of his former co-stars, Paul Rudd, shared his grief in a heartfelt tribute after Perry’s untimely passing on October 28, 2023.
In a touching social media post, Paul Rudd, who played the character of Mike Hannigan on “Friends,” expressed his sorrow over the loss of the late actor. Alongside an image of Perry, Rudd wrote, “Words can’t express how saddened I am to hear of Matthew’s passing. You will be missed so so so dearly 😞.”
Rudd, now 54 years old, had a memorable stint on “Friends,” playing the character of Mike Hannigan, who was Phoebe Buffay’s boyfriend and later her husband in the popular show. He appeared in 16 episodes, including the series finale in 2004, and shared an intimate bond with the tight-knit cast.
Speaking about his time on the show during an interview on Heart Breakfast, Rudd revealed his initial surprise at the extent of his involvement, stating, “I never knew that I was going to be in as many (episodes of the show) as I was. But it also felt strange. I mean, I was in that last episode, and I just thought, ‘I shouldn’t be here … I’m getting, like, a front-row seat to things I’m not supposed to see.'”
Rudd had immense respect and admiration for his co-stars, including Lisa Kudrow, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, and Matt LeBlanc. During the radio interview, he recalled the emotional atmosphere of the show’s conclusion, saying, “They were all crying, it was all emotional, and I was just like, ‘Whoa.’ I mean, I felt very privileged. But I also was like, ‘I just want to sit back here and not get in the way.'”
Reflecting on his unique experience, Rudd concluded, “It was really fun, and they were great. The whole thing was a bit surreal, I must say, to be a part of that — because I came on really at the end.”
Matthew Perry’s passing was a profound loss for fans around the world. Perry, known for his exceptional portrayal of Chandler on “Friends,” was discovered deceased at his Los Angeles residence. Friends, the beloved sitcom that captured the lives of six friends living in New York City, aired from 1994 to 2004. The final episode of the series was watched by 52.5 million viewers in the United States, making it the most-watched TV episode of the 2000s.
News of Perry’s passing was initially reported by the LA Times and TMZ. It was indicated that he was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his residence in the Pacific Palisades area. While the Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed responding to a “water emergency” incident at that location, they did not initially disclose Perry’s identity.
The production company behind “Friends,” Warner Bros., paid tribute to Perry, describing him as a “true gift to us all.” Perry’s enduring popularity through reruns continues to captivate new generations of viewers, making him a cherished figure in the world of entertainment.