Matthew Perry’s TV parents are reaching to his tragic death. The “Friends” alum died at age 54 of an apparent drowning at his California home on Saturday.
As The Post previously reported, Perry’s death is an ongoing investigation. His autopsy has been completed, but the coroner has ordered more tests, including toxicology. His cause of death is currently “deferred.”
Chandler Bing’s “Friends” parents were played by Kathleen Turner and Morgan Fairchild. Turner played Helena Handbasket, while Fairchild played Nora Tyler Bing, respectively.
Turner spoke out about Perry’s passing in an interview on Sunday.
“[I’m] very said for Matthew,” Turner told People. “He came to see one of my Broadway shows and he came backstage. When he saw me, he yelled out, ‘Hey dad’ and everyone thought it was pretty cool. I think it was for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.”
She added: “It’s extremely sad when you think about how young [he was] and a pity he couldn’t get more control. I can’t imagine the pressure those guys lived under being a worldwide phenomenon. It must have been overwhelming.”
In his 2022 memoir, Perry estimated that he attended 6,000 AA meetings, went to rehab 15 times, and had been in detox 65 times in his lifetime. The actor once estimated he spent around $9 million trying to get sober.
Turner made her first “Friends” appearance in 2001. Although it’s understood now that the character was a trans woman, Helena was referred to as Chandler’s “father.”
“There was no question of casting a trans person or a drag queen – it was never considered,” Turner told The Guardian in January. “It never crossed my mind that I was taking a role from someone.”
When asked if she’d ever reprise the role, Turner responded at the time, “Probably not. But I certainly don’t regret having taken it. It was a challenge!”
Turner and Perry last saw each other about 10 years ago “at some event.”
“I liked him,” Turner told People. “He had a good sense of humor and a good heart. he liked other people, which, to me, is terribly important, especially for an actor.”
Turner still gets recognized for her “Friends” role to this day.
“I met somebody last night and she said, ‘Aren’t you a movie star?’ I said, ‘Yeah, but before your time.’ And she said, ‘Well, where would I know you from?’ and I said, ‘Chandler’s dad.’ She said, ‘Oh, my God!’” she recalled.
Fairchild, for her part, took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to initially react to the news of Perry’s death.
“I’m heartbroken about the untimely death of my ‘son,’ Matthew Perry. The loss of such a brilliant young actor is a shock,” the 73-year-old wrote. “I’m sending love and condolences to his friends & family, especially his dad, John Bennett Perry, who I worked with on Flamingo Road and Falcon Crest. #RIPMatthew.”
She also reshared some fan reactions of his passing and appeared on “CNN This Morning” to “talk about Matthew Perry,” she tweeted. “And to honor what a lovely young man he was, and what a talent!”
“Friends” ran for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004 and also starred Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc.
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