Millions of fans in China mourn death of Friends star Matthew Perry, whose passing many believe marks end of era
- Weibo hashtags about subject attracted more than 300 million views in 24 hours following his death
- Friends, and in particular Perry’s character, Chandler Bing, helped shape a generation in China
A sense of sorrow has spread across mainland social media following the sudden and unexpected death of the actor, Matthew Perry, who starred in the iconic US television series Friends.
The extent of the online reaction to Perry’s passing is a measure of how popular both he and the show were in China.
Online observers of the sad news expressed condolences and reminisced about the iconic on-screen character he helped create.
Perry, who played Chandler Bing, was found dead at his home in the US after “apparently drowning” on October 28, US time, according to TMZ, who quoted sources. He was 54 years old.
The TMZ report said the star had returned from a two-hour workout and was found in his jacuzzi. Law enforcement officials confirmed that no drugs were found at the scene, adding that there were no signs of foul play.
Perry’s witty and disarming role in Friends earned him a substantial Chinese audience because people regarded Chandler as an ideal partner, making him one of the most recognised US actors on the mainland.