Maggie Wheeler, Actress Who Played Janice on Friends, Mourns Death of Matthew Perry: ‘The World Will Miss You’

Matthew Perry Friends actress Maggie Wheeler mourns the actor who died on Saturday at the age of 54.

“What a waste. The world will miss you, Mathew Perry,” she wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of them on the NBC series. “The joy you brought to many in your too short life will live on. I feel so blessed by every creative moment we shared.”

Wheeler, 62, has made several guest appearances Friends‘ for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004. She played Janice Hosenstein, the fan-favorite occasional girlfriend of Perry’s character, Chandler Bing.

Matthew Perry dead at 54 after apparent drowning

She was known for her distinct nose picking, as well as her catchphrase, “Oh. My. God.”

Maggie Wheeler and Matthew Perry in ‘Friends’.

Warner Bros.

The actress previously praised Perry as a brilliant comedian who broke her character on set. In fact, in an interview on ITV’s This Morning in 2016, she credited her character’s giggles as a way to get through scenes with him.

“So the laughter happened organically in the first rehearsal, because I had to find a way to laugh, because Matthew Perry is so funny,” she said. “And working with him, I knew right away, I thought, ‘This guy is going to make me laugh on set, I have to be ready. What do I do?’ So I created Janice’s laugh just as a safety measure when Matthew made me laugh.”

Maggie Wheeler Riffs on Why Janice and Chandler Were “Really” Endgame on ‘Friends’

In 2021, she appeared in a TikTok video with artist Jax and performed a parody of Friends theme song, “I’ll Be There For You,” and changed the lyrics to reflect her desire to see Chandler leave Monica Geller (Courteney Cox) for Janice.

“Chandler, I’ll be waiting for you when you and Monica get divorced,” she sang. “I’ll wait for you, you know you always loved me more. You love me, Chandler Bing!”

After Perry’s death, the production company Warner Bros Friendshe released a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

“We are devastated by the death of our dear friend Matthew Perry. Matthew was an incredibly gifted actor and an indelible part of the Warner Bros. family. Television Group”, the press release said. “The impact of his comedic genius was felt throughout the world, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of many. This is a heartbreaking day and we send our love to his family, his loved ones and all his devoted fans.”

Many of Perry’s other former colleagues also expressed their grief. Valerie Bertinelli, who played Perry’s sibling Sydneythe 1990 CBS sitcom, posted a tribute to the star on her Instagram Story, saying, “Rest in peace sweet man.”

Laura Benanti, who co-starred with Perry in the 2012 sitcom Go on, told PEOPLE in a statement, “Matty was a generous, brilliant man of unparalleled talent. I feel grateful to have known him.”

Matthew Perry reflected on the ‘Special’, unbreakable bond with Friends Costars for years after the series

Matthew Perry. Taylor Hill/Getty

Also in a statement to PEOPLE, Perry’s Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip actor Timothy Busfield recalled a fond memory he shared with the actor.

“Matty Perry was a gem. I was very fortunate to act with him and direct him Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. He was a good, good man and a sweet, witty soul who will be sorely missed,” Busfield said. “Not only to his millions of devoted fans, but also to those co-workers and friends he made fall to the floor with his quick and fiery wit.”

“He told me he once spent an entire evening entertaining a famous director. Taking him to one club after another, thinking to himself, ‘he really likes me, maybe he’ll hire me.’ It wasn’t until the next morning, after a great night, that he discovered it wasn’t a famous director at all. It was just some guy,” he continued. “He told that story himself. That’s the kind of man he was. Good luck, bro. I’ll miss you.”

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Perry, a five-time Emmy nominee, was found dead at his home on Saturday, according to TMZ, citing sources.

PEOPLE confirmed with a Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson that officers responded to a call at Perry’s address regarding the death of a man in his 50s. The representative did not want to confirm the identity of the deceased.

Representatives for Perry did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

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