Justin Trudeau Pays Tribute To Childhood Friend Matthew Perry After His Death

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid tribute to his friend, Friends star Matthew Perry, after he was found dead on Saturday night from drowning in his hot tub. 

Trudeau called Perry’s death “shocking and saddening.”

The Canadian prime minister 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 and Trudeau grew up together, both going to the same elementary school. Perry’s mother also worked with Trudeau’s father as his press secretary when he was the prime minister. 

In 2017, during an interview with Jimmy Kimmel Live, Perry recalled when he and another friend “beat up” Trudeau in fifth grade.

“We both beat him up. I think he was excelling in a sport that we weren’t, so it was pure jealousy,” he explained. “I think he was the only kid in school that we could beat up… I’m not bragging about this. This is terrible. I was a stupid kid. I didn’t want to beat him up.” 

Perry continued to joke about the situation, stating, “I think I was rather instrumental in him going to such great heights in becoming the prime minister. I think he said, ‘I’m going to rise above this and become prime minister.’” 

Trudeau later jokingly called Perry out for this, tweeting, “I’ve been giving it some thought, and you know what, who hasn’t wanted to punch Chandler? How about a rematch @MatthewPerry?”

Perry responded to Trudeau, writing, “I think I will pass at your request for a rematch kind sir (given that you currently have an army at your disposal).”

Perry was best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the hit TV series Friends. He co-starred alongside Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox and Matt LeBlanc.

Since Perry was found dead at his home in Los Angeles, his friends and family have been memorializing the actor. 

Friends creators and producers Marta Kauffman, David Crane and Kevin Bright released a joint statement writing, “This truly is The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken.”

“We will always cherish the joy, the light, the blinding intelligence he brought to every moment – not just to his work, but in life as well,” they wrote. “He was always the funniest person in the room. More than that, he was the sweetest, with a giving and selfless heart.”

Perry’s family similarly paid tribute to the actor stating, “Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend. You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.”

During her show on Saturday in Las Vegas, Adele recalled how she loved Perry’s work and that it never failed to make her laugh. Although she never met the actor, she still felt sad when his death was announced. “I just want to say how much I love what he did for us,” she added. 

SNL dedicated their latest episode to Perry, featuring a tribute card at the end of the broadcast as Perry hosted the show once in 1997.

The L.A. medical examiner has deferred ruling on a cause of death pending the results of a toxicology report.