Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid tribute to his former school friend Matthew Perry, who had previously admitted to beating up the politician.
Perry, 54, was found on Saturday at his home in Los Angeles after first responders were called to the scene at around 4pm PDT for a cardiac arrest.
Sources said he was found in a jacuzzi at the home but that no drugs were discovered at the scene – and there was no indication of foul play.
As tributes poured in for the Friends actor, who had a long standing battle with addiction, his former school friend Justin Trudeau paid tribute to him.
In a post to social media, Prime Minister Trudeau said: ‘Matthew Perry’s passing is shocking and saddening.’
In a post to his social media, the Prime Minister said Perry had been loved and will be missed
Speaking on Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2017, Perry told the host that he had beat up the Prime Minister
He continued: ‘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.’
Perry had previously revealed on the Jimmy Kimmel show that him and one of his other friends had beat up Trudeau.
Speaking on Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2017, Perry told the host: ‘I was reminded of this by my friend Chris Murray, that we actually beat up Justin Trudeau.
‘We both beat him up. I think he was excelling at a sport that we weren’t, so it was pure jealous. So we beat him up.’
Perry continued: ‘I’m not bragging about this, this is terrible. I was a stupid kid.’
At the time, Trudeau expressed humor at the childhood experience, tweeting: ‘I’ve been giving it some thought, and you know what, who hasn’t wanted to punch Chandler?
‘How about a rematch Matthew Perry?’
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivers remarks at a Liberal Party of Canada fundraiser in Gatineau, Que. on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023
Sources said he was found in a jacuzzi at the home but that no drugs were discovered at the scene – and there was no indication of foul play
Perry had reportedly played a two-hour game of Pickleball prior to his death after which he sent his assistant out on an errand. When they returned, the assistant found Perry unresponsive and dialed 911.
He rose to fame in his role as ‘Chandler Bing’ on the hit 90s sitcom Friends, which ran for 10 seasons, and has spoken openly about his battle to overcome a decades-long drug and alcohol addiction.
In his last post to his Instagram, shared earlier this week, the star shared images of him in his pool, saying: ‘Oh, so warm water swirling around makes you feel good? I’m Mattman.’
Perry has been candid about his problems with drugs and alcohol addiction, after first going to rehab in 1997 for what was said to a pain medication addiction after a jet skiing accident.
Following this initial stint, he then went to rehab again in 2001 and 2011. He told an interviewer in 2016 that he doesn’t remember filming three seasons of Friends.
A longtime friend of Perry’s – who was in recovery with him – told .com: ‘Everyone is in a total state of shock. People are crying on the phone and struggling to accept this news.
Perry rose to fame for his role as ‘Chandler Bing’ on the hit 90s sitcom Friends, which ran for 10 seasons
Law enforcement sources said the actor was found on Saturday at a home in Los Angeles. He is seen here earlier last week
Aerial images show Perry’s pool and hot tub where he was reportedly found dead
‘It’s no secret that he struggled with drugs and alcohol for years but the last time I spoke to him, which was within the last few weeks, he seemed to be in a good place.
‘He was upbeat and sounded sober and positive.
‘He’d been to rehab 17 times and nearly died from opioid abuse but he was someone who was sincere about taking his life, and his sobriety, one day at a time.
‘It’s such tragic news. Everyone is praying he didn’t relapse. Matt was a genuinely lovely guy. He was always the first to welcome newcomers to the group and would always volunteer to help and be of service.
‘We are all struggling to come to terms with this terrible news.’
After the series, he was in several television shows but did not achieve the longevity and success of Friends. He continued to land roles in movies like 2009’s 17 Again.
Perry never married and ended his engagement to Molly Hurwitz, a talent manager, in 2021.
He dated several well-known actresses including Julia Roberts and Lizzy Caplan.