Why Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid such a personal tribute to Matthew Perry

The death of Matthew Perry also moved 24 Sussex Drive, the official residence of the head of the Canadian government. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid a touching tribute to the actor, who died at the age of 54. He wrote, in French and English, on X (formerly Twitter): «Matthew Perry’s death is sad and shocking. I will never forget our games in the schoolyard and I know that people around the world will not forget the joy you brought them. Thanks for all the laughs, Matthew. You were loved and we will miss you.”

It has emerged that Justin Trudeau, 51, met Matthew Perry during their childhood. Suzanne Morrison, the actor’s mother, was for years the press secretary of Pierre Trudeau, the politician’s father and former Prime Minister himself.

“Who hasn’t wanted to hit Chandler?”

In 2017, Matthew Perry recounted a childhood memory in which he remembered beating the future head of government in the schoolyard with one of his friends: «We hit him. I think he was very good at one sport and we weren’t. It was pure jealousy. I think he was the only boy in school we could beat… I’m not bragging, it was terrible! I was a stupid kid,” he recalled to him Jimmy Kimmel Live, «and I think that was a key moment that gave him the strength to become Prime Minister. I think he said to himself: ‘I will put this moment behind me and become Prime Minister.’

Justin Trudeau had responded to the blow with humour, demonstrating in a tweet that he knew his classics: „I thought about it and you know what? Who hasn’t wanted to punch Chandler? How about a rematch @MatthewPerry?” Chandler Bing wouldn’t have minded Matthew Perry’s response: “I think I’ll decline the offer of a rematch, my good man (given the army you have at your disposal).”