Shannen Doherty Reflects on a ‘Lifetime’ of Friendship with Matthew Perry amid the ‘Shock’ of His Death 

Shannen Doherty pays tribute to her former colleague and friend Matthew Perry.

Doherty, 52, opened up about her “lifelong” friendship with Perry in an emotional Instagram post after the actor – who was best known and celebrated for playing Chandler Bing on Friends – was found dead in a home in Los Angeles on Saturday in an apparent drowning. Perry was 54 years old.

Sharing a throwback photo of herself with Perry, Doherty wrote: “We were a gang a long time ago. We all grew up together in Formosa, in the north, and we always laughed. Matt, Roger, David, Roxana. We played pretend and Matt had to say funny things to the girls at the bar. We just always had fun and supported each other.”

Doherty spoke about her friendship with Perry in a post on Saturday.

Shannen Doherty/Instagram

In a photo the actress — who is currently battling stage four breast cancer — shared, she and Perry are all smiles in the photo as they sit on a bench with another friend.

“You would always find us all together in a booth talking in our own made-up language. And yes, Matt always had THAT sense of humor,” she continued in her heartfelt message.

Doherty — who starred opposite Perry in the episode Beverly Hills 90210 1991 — also revealed in her post dedicated to the actor that the pair dated before becoming lifelong friends.

Matthew Perry dead at 54 after apparent drowning

“Matt and I had a date on Valentine’s Day. He wanted to book a restaurant in Malibu but he couldn’t so my dad made the reservation for him,” Doherty said. “We went and he talked most nights about my dad’s Irish persuasiveness. Our friendship lasted a long time. A lifetime really. I know many are hurt, especially our little group.”

“He will be missed by many, and definitely by us. That. I could be more poetic or say things better, but right now shock and sadness prevail – concluded the actress.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Perry played tennis ace Roger Azarian opposite Doherty’s Brenda Walsh and the rest of the 90210 gang in episode 19 of the first season Beverly Hills 90210 back in 1991.

Three years later, the actor would appear in his breakthrough role as Chandler Bing Friendswhich lasted for 10 seasons until 2004.

Friends and colleagues of Matthew Perry react to his death: ‘Shock and sadness prevail’

Perry died on Saturday at the age of 54.

Noam Galai/Getty

Perry was found dead in a home in Los Angeles on Saturday. According to TMZ, the first 911 was called for a cardiac arrest in the apartment. The outlet also reported that Perry was found in a jacuzzi at the home and that no drugs were found or foul play was involved.

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department told PEOPLE that officers responded to a call to Perry’s address regarding the death of a man in his 50s. The identity of the deceased has not been confirmed.

A statement from Warner Bros. about the actor was released on Saturday: “We are devastated by the passing of our dear friend Matthew Perry. Matthew was an incredibly gifted actor and an indelible part of the Warner Bros. family. Television Group. The impact of his comedic genius was felt around 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.”

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

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education