Fans of the popular TV series ‘Friends’ are familiar with the troubled but hilarious actor, Matthew Perry and his memorable portrayal of the character, Chandler Bing. News reported the passing of Matthew Perry, 54, at his home in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 28, 2023, and fans have been flocking to iconic Friends’ locations in New York to pay tribute to his memory.
While the show took place in New York, Perry actually has his roots in Ottawa, where he grew up and even went to school with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The prime minister took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share his condolences for his old friend. This tweet is a testament to the lasting impact Matthew Perry had on people, not only as an actor, but also as a warm and well-liked individual.
They attended the same school in Ottawa, Rockliffe Park Public School and shared fond memories and even some moments of jealousy and rivalry as told in a story by Perry on an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
When asked whether Perry remembered Justin Trudeau, he said, “I have a story about him I’m not proud of.” Perry and his friend, Chris Murray “beat up Justin Trudeau…I think he was excelling in a sport that we weren’t. So pure jealousy.”
Justin Trudeau, reacted jovially on Twitter: “I’ve been thinking about this, and you know what? Who hasn’t wanted to punch Chandler? How about a rematch @MatthewPerry?”
To which Perry repied,
A statement by the Friends cast
With Trudeau, the rest of the world grieves the loss of an incredibly talented and comedic actor. On Monday, October 30th, the core actors of friends released a joint statement to People magazine.
“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family,” their statement reads. “There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.”
“In time we will say more, as and when we are able,” the statement continues. “For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”
The statement is signed by Courtney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, and Matt LeBlanc.