Just a few days following Perry’s untimely passing, Kathleen Turner, who played Helena, a transgender character who was Perry’s on-screen dad in Friends, joined the extensive list of friends and colleagues who paid their respects to the comedic genius.
In her conversation with PEOPLE, Turner openly shared her deep sense of sorrow upon learning about Perry’s tragic passing. She further expressed her sadness, mentioning that Perry was too young to have left the world so soon.
Kathleen Turner expresses sadness at Matthew Perry’s unfortunate demise
“It’s extremely sad when you think about how young [he was] and a pity he couldn’t get more control,” Turner explained. “I can’t imagine the pressure those guys lived under being a worldwide phenomenon. It must have been overwhelming.”
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The 69-year-old shared that she was very fond of the late actor. “I liked him, he had a good sense of humor and a good heart,” she added. “He liked other people, which, to me, is terribly important, especially for an actor.”
Kathleen Turner says people still remember her as Chandler’s dad
Turner also reminisced about the last time she saw the late actor during the discussion with People. “He came to see one of my Broadway shows, and he came backstage,” she told the news outlet. “When he saw me, he yelled out, ‘Hey, dad’ and everyone thought it was pretty cool. I think it was for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”
She also explained that despite having so many other acting credits to her name, she continues to get recognition as Perry’s TV father. “I am still constantly recognized by a certain age group as Chandler’s dad,” Turner confessed. “I met somebody last night, and she said, ‘Aren’t you a movie star?’ I said, ‘Yeah, but before your time.’ And she said, ‘Well, where would I know you from?’ and I said, ‘Chandler’s dad.’ She said, ‘Oh, my God!’”