Matthew Perry once credited Friends co-star Jennifer Aniston with helping to save his life, after she issued a warning to him over his growing addiction issues.
As previously reported, the beloved actor, who starred as Chandler Bing in the hit 90s sitcom Friends, died aged 54 after being found unresponsive in his Los Angeles home on Saturday (October 28), per TMZ and Los Angeles Times.
Police sources have indicated that no illegal drugs were found at the scene and there is currently no indication of foul play. The cause of death will be determined at a later date by the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office.
Perry's tragic passing was confirmed by Warner Bros. Television Group - the studio that produced Friends - in a statement provided to the LA Times that read: "We are devastated by the passing of our dear friend Matthew Perry."
"Matthew was an incredibly gifted actor and an indelible part of the Warner Bros. Television Group family," they continued. "The impact of his comedic genius was felt around the world, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of so many. This is a heartbreaking day, and we send our love to his family, his loved ones, and all of his devoted fans."
NBC, which aired the series for all 10 seasons, also penned a heartfelt statement to the publication, 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," they concluded.
The late actor rose to fame for his portrayal of hilarious joker Chandler Bing - starring alongside Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, and Courteney Cox in the popular show that ran for 10 seasons on NBC from 1994 to 2004.
Before his death, Perry released a heartbreakingly candid memoir titled: Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, which saw him courageously open up about his battles with addiction.
During a press tour for the book, the actor revealed in a candid interview with ABC News's Diane Sawyer that Aniston was the first co-star to confront him over his drinking problems at the height of his 2000s fame.
The actor recalled his co-star - who played Rachel Green on the show - approached him on set telling him: "We know you're drinking," and described her address as a "scary moment".
"[Aniston] was the one that reached out the most," he shared. "I'm really grateful to her for that."
Watch Perry speak about Aniston below:Prior to his book release, Perry disclosed with PEOPLE magazine that at one frightening moment during his Friends reign, he was taking 55 Vicodin a day and was down to 128lbs.
"I didn't know how to stop," he said. "If the police came over to my house and said, 'If you drink tonight, we're going to take you to jail,' I'd start packing. I couldn't stop because the disease and the addiction is progressive. So it gets worse and worse as you grow older."
Although Perry tried to conceal his personal battles from the cast, the changes in his appearance each year reflected his state of sobriety. He noted that his cast mates were still "understanding" and "patient".
"It's like penguins. Penguins, in nature, when one is sick, or when one is very injured, the other penguins surround it and prop it up. They walk around it until that penguin can walk on its own. That's kind of what the cast did for me," he added.
The special actor is remembered by friends and coworkers such as Selma Blair, Paget Brewster, Morgan Fairchild, and Michael Rappaport as a singular comic talent and loving soul.
Maggie Wheeler, who played his on-again, off-again girlfriend Janice on the hit show, shared a sweet tribute on Instagram, writing: "What a loss. The world will miss you, Matthew 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 was also commemorated by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was one of his childhood friends. "Matthew Perry’s passing is shocking and saddening," Trudeau wrote on X.
"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," he added.
Our thoughts continue to be with Perry's friends, family, and fans at this time.
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