Friends star who played Janice shares tribute after Matthew Perry dies aged 54
Maggie Wheeler, who played Janice in hit sitcom Friends, has paid tribute to Matthew Perry following his tragic death aged 54.
The actor died yesterday (October 28) of an apparent drowning after reportedly being found in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home, with no apparent foul play suspected.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed it had 'responded to the 1800 block of Blue Sail Rd for a death investigation on a male 4.10pm this afternoon'.
The Friends star's death was treated as a 'water rescue', according to a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson. However, no official cause of death has been announced and an investigation remains ongoing.
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NBC - which aired Friends - confirmed the tragic news of the beloved actor's death in a statement, writing: "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 wry wit. His legacy will live on through countless generations."
Tributes have come flooding in for the star, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was friends with the actor in their school days, writing on X: “Matthew Perry’s passing is shocking and saddening. I’ll never forget the schoolyard games we used to play, and I know people around the world are never going to forget the joy he brought them.
“Thanks for all the laughs, Matthew. You were loved – and you will be missed.”
Meanwhile, fellow actor Selma Blair penned: "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.”
And now, Wheeler, who played Perry's on-screen girlfriend Janice, has paid tribute to her co-star.
Wheeler shared a snap of the two together on Friends along with the heartfelt caption: "What a loss.The world will miss you Mathew Perry. 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."
Perry rose to fame as the fan-favorite Chandler Bing, starring alongside David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow in one of the most loved and popular sitcoms of all time.
The character was loved by fans for his witty jokes and pitch-perfect quips.
Just five days before his death, Perry shared a photo on Instagram of himself relaxing in a jacuzzi while donning headphones, along with the caption: “Oh, so warm water swirling around makes you feel good? I’m Mattman."
He also shared a video of the moon that same day, writing: “Do you understand what I’m trying to tell you? – I’m Mattman,” in another apparent Batman reference.
Topics: Matthew Perry, Friends, Celebrity, TV And Film
Chloe Jackson