Beloved actor Matthew Perry grew up in Canada and is linked to big names in politics

Matthew Perry’s iconic performance on “Friends” may forever link him with New York City, but the actor behind Chandler Bing described himself as half Canadian and had deep ties to some of the biggest names in Canadian politics.

The 54-year-old actor was found dead in his Los Angeles home on Saturday. An investigation into how Perry died is ongoing, and it may take weeks before his cause of death is determined.

The actor spent most of his adult life and professional career in the United States, but he never shied away from opening up about his Canadian roots or his childhood connections to luminaries of the national political scene.

In his 2022 memoir “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing,” Perry detailed his childhood spent growing up in Canada with his mother and described his teenage self as “the pale Canadian kid with a quick mouth” who could “name the entire roster of the Toronto Maple Leafs.”

Perry moved between Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto with his Canadian mother, Suzanne Perry, who worked as press secretary for then-prime minister Pierre Trudeau and later as a national anchor for Global News. He later moved to Los Angeles to live with his father, actor John Bennett Perry.

In a 2017 interview on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” Perry recalled teaming up with some friends to “beat up” a young Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the schoolyard when he was in Grade 5.

“His dad was the prime minister, but I don’t think that’s the reason we beat him up. I think he was the only kid in school we could beat up,” Perry told Kimmel.

Perry said he wasn’t proud of the schoolyard fights, but joked that he was “rather instrumental” in Trudeau’s success.

“I think he said: ‘I’m going to rise above this and I’m going to become prime minister.’” Perry told Kimmel.

Trudeau responded at the time with a social media post inviting Perry to a rematch, quipping, “who hasn’t wanted to punch Chandler?”

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

The Prime Minister issued a social media post on Saturday night commenting on his former schoolmate’s death, calling it shocking and saddening.

“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,” Trudeau said in the post to X, the network formerly known as Twitter. 

In his memoir, Perry recalled his mother being pulled away from spending time with him due to her work for the prime minister.

On one such occasion, Perry said he and his mom were watching the film “Annie Hall” when the phone rang with Pierre Trudeau on the line. 

“That is my absolute favorite childhood memory—sitting with my mom and watching that movie. But now the prime minister of Canada was calling, so I was about to lose my mom again,” Perry said.

“As she took the call I heard her turn on her professional, spinmeister-y voice; the voice of a different person, of Suzanne Perry in fact, not my mom.”

Perry’s mother went on to marry Saskatchewan-born broadcast journalist Keith Morrison in 1981 in a ceremony where a young Perry gave the bride away.

Morrison worked as an anchor for CBC, CTV and then spent decades as a correspondent with NBC’s Dateline.

Perry described Morrison as a “lovely man” who is his mother’s “protector.”

“My family was held together by one man, and that was Keith Morrison,” Perry said in his memoir.

Tributes to Perry flooded in Sunday, including from fellow Canadian-American comedian Tom Green.

“Shocked and saddened to just hear about the passing of Matthew Perry in a tragic drowning. He is one of the many talented and incredible success stories from my hometown of Ottawa. Rest in peace Matthew,” Green said in a social media post. 

The NHL’s Ottawa Senators posted their own social media tribute to Perry, calling him “one of Ottawa’s proudest sons and the biggest hockey fan” and sharing a video of the actor wearing a Senators jersey at a game.

Perry was widely mourned by friends, co-stars and some very famous fans.

This truly is The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken,''Friends” co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane, along with executive producer Kevin Bright, said in a joint statement Sunday.

We are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by our beloved friend Matthew's passing,'' Kauffman, Crane and Bright wrote.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. 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 also gave a statement to People Magazine, writing that they are heartbroken by the loss.

Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend,'' the family said.You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.”

Others, some who knew him, some who didn’t, took to social media to express their grief.

Adele took a moment to talk about him during her show in Las Vegas on Saturday night. She recalled how his work made her laugh and said that even though she’d never met him, there is a strange thing that happens sometimes when an entertainer dies that makes you feel personally sad.

“I just want to say how much I love what he did for us,” she said to the cheering crowd.

Saturday Night Live also showed a tribute card for Perry during the weekend’s episode. Perry once hosted the show, in 1997, which featured one sketch where he played Matt LeBlanc’s character Joey and Colin Quinn played Chandler.

Morgan Fairchild, who played Chandler’s mother on Friends'' wrote on X, that she washeartbroken about the untimely death of my `son’.”

“The loss of such a brilliant young actor is a shock. I’m sending love & condolences to his friends & family, especially his dad,” Fairchild wrote.

She had also worked with Perry’s father, actor John Bennett Perry, on several television series.

Another frequent Friends'' co-star, Maggie Wheeler, who played his girlfriend Janice, wrote,The joy you brought to so many in your too short lifetime will live on. I feel very blessed by every creative moment we shared.”

Selma Blair, who also appeared on an episode of Friends,'' posted on Instagram that she wasbroken hearted.”

My oldest boy friend,'' Blair wrote.All of us loved Matthew Perry, and I did especially. Every day. I loved him unconditionally. And he me. And I’m broken. Broken hearted. Sweet dreams Matty. Sweet dreams.”

Many Hollywood actors crossed paths with Perry, who had worked steadily on screen since he was a child.

Wendell Pierce, who worked with Perry on The Odd Couple,'' wrote on X that for two years,Matthew Perry was my boss, my colleague, and a giving, kind, funny man. I pray and hope he is at peace.”

Shannen Doherty shared a photo on Instagram and reflected on their friendship, which extended back to an appearance on “Beverly Hills 90210,” and included a Valentine’s Day date in Malibu once.

We were a gang way back. We all grew up together going to the Formosa ? We played dare and Matt had to say ridiculous things to girls at the bar. We just always had fun and supported each other. You would always find us all together in a booth speaking in our own made up language. And yes, Matt always had THAT sense of humor,'' Doherty wrote.I could be more poetic or say things better but right now, shock and sadness prevail.”

Gwyneth Paltrow, writing on Instagram, recalled meeting Perry at the Williamstown Theater Festival in the summer of 1993, where they were both doing plays. The “Friends” pilot had been shot but not yet aired. The actor and lifestyle guru recalled Perry as funny, sweet and fun to be with.

We drove out to swim in creeks, had beers in the local college bar, kissed in a field of long grass. It was a magical summer,'' she wrote.I am super sad today, as so many of us are. I hope Matthew is at peace at long last. I really do.”