Disclaimer: This article contains content that may not be suitable for younger students.

The beloved Matthew Perry, also known as Chandler, from Friends, passed away recently on October 28, 2023. Most people know his humor and lovability from Friends or even off the set. Perry is mourned by people all over the world. Specifically, a Friends-dedicated cafe in Shenzhen, China was packed to watch episodes of Friends and share their memories of watching Chandler. Many foreign people watched Friends to help them learn English and get a glimpse of American culture. ​​Chandler will forever be a beloved memory for many people across the globe.

Since the death of Perry, the media has been focused on Perry’s openness about his alcohol addiction. In many interviews, Perry spoke about his addiction to alcohol since his teenage years. Even while he was filming Friends, he was in rehabilitation trying to become sober. He shares how his family and friends supported him through it. Perry’s honesty about his struggles inspires other people to open up with their addiction and seek help. People admire his fun spirit on Friends, while also taking into heart his rehabilitation in the midst of it. Bradley Whitford, one of Perry’s celebrity friends, also admired Perry’s vulnerability and posted on Instagram, “To honor Matt, I hope we can continue the work that mattered most to him: to open our hearts to so many who share his vulnerabilities, to encourage them to get the help they need, and to give them the love and the support they deserve.”  

One way Perry’s memory was honored was on November 1 through November 5 when TBS aired the “best of Chandler”, with different episodes relating to Chandler’s greatest moments on Friends. It gave people a time to mourn and cherish him. The cast of Friends said in a statement: “We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family.” 

“He was a true gift to us all,” posted by the official Friends instagram account in tribute to Perry. Perry will be remembered for his lovability, vulnerability and humor. He lives in people’s memories.

Image courtesy of Flickr.