‘Friends’ actor Matthew Perry, renowned for his iconic role as Chandler Bing on the hit series, passed away at 54 in a Los Angeles-area residence on Saturday, raising initial suspicions of a tragic drowning incident.

According to TMZ Perry had returned home in the early morning hours following a two-hour pickleball session. He then dispatched his assistant on an errand, only to be discovered unresponsive upon the assistant’s return approximately two hours later, prompting an immediate 911 call. 

Perry’s life changed forever in 1994 when he landed the role of Chandler Bing in the iconic sitcom. The late actor’s portrayal of Chandler, known for his sarcastic humour and endearing personality, earned him critical acclaim and a special place in the hearts of fans around the world. The series ran for ten successful seasons, and Perry’s performance remains an integral part of its enduring legacy.

Following the conclusion of the hit show, Perry continued to excel in the entertainment industry. He starred in various television shows, including ‘Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip’ and ‘The Odd Couple.’ He also took on numerous film roles, demonstrating his versatility as an actor.

Perry’s life was not without its challenges as he openly battled addiction issues and underwent rehab several times even during the show. In an interview with ABC’s Diane Swayer, the late actor got emotional and spoke about his battle with drug addiction and how he lost a lot of weight during the show, he also mentioned how his excessive drinking habit also made him gain weight.

However, he emerged as an advocate for addiction recovery, by writing a memoir titled ‘Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,’ using his personal experiences to raise awareness and support for those facing similar struggles.

The late actor explained in his interview that he was getting better and the show played a huge role in his recovery “I’m doing well now for some reason it was obviously because I was on ‘Friends’,” he said.

The entertainment industry and fans worldwide are united in their grief over the loss of Matthew Perry.

‘Friends’ official Instagram page posted the news of the passing of the actor and how he was a gift to everyone. “We are devastated to learn of Matthew Perry’s passing. He was a true gift to us all.”

Maggie Wheeler, the actress known for her role as Janice, Chandler’s on-and-off girlfriend on the show, expressed her grief on her Instagram page and said “What a loss.” she continued, “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.”

Micheal Raraport who played Gary in the show, took to his X page to mourn the late actor saying “Rest in peace @matthew perry,” adding that Perry was “Always so nice, cool, chill & talented.” He continued, “You are a part of American Culture and will live on forever.”

Selma Blair, who appeared in the ninth season of the show “The One With Christmas in Tulsa,” and worked with Chandler in the office, took to Instagram to call the late actor her “oldest boy friend.” She continued, “all of us loved Mathew Perry, and I did especially.” she further explained her grief “I’m broken hearted, sweet dreams Matty.” On how they loved each other, she said, “I loved him unconditionally and he me.”

An X user Carlos, posted “I’m beyond distraught, Matthew perry was too young. this is heartbreaking”

The circumstances surrounding Perry’s activities leading up to his passing remain unclear, and authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of his death.