29 October 2023 , 19:45
955
0
Matthew Perry had been out playing pickleball in the hours before his death on Saturday and is pictured here on the courts in Santa Barbara on Saturday October 21 - just one week before his sudden death.
The sport is a mash up of tennis and badminton and has boomed in popularity in America in recent years. The star was a keen player of the game and regularly played on the Santa Barbara courts near his Pacific Palisades home.
Perry was found unresponsive in his hot tub at home by his assistant the following Saturday afternoon before it was announced he had died. The star was reportedly also playing pickleball on the Saturday before he diede. Extra host Billy Bush has revealed on Instagram that his partner spotted signs he wasn't quite right.
He wrote: "I spoke to the woman he played with this morning and every morning. She is in shock, adored Matt…she said he had been fatigued today and over the past week. A little more than usual. He played for one hour, then went home."
Read More: Jennifer Aniston's candid comments about Matthew Perry's struggles before his death
Hear'Say star quit booze after drunken Friends impressions - to Matthew Perry
He played at least once a day (BACKGRID)
Perry reportedly made amazing progress at the sport (BACKGRID)According to Billy, Perry played the sport every day, and sometimes twice a day, as he found it good for his regulation.
The star loved the sport so much, he reportedly had a pickleball court put in his home, inpickbleball reports. Speaking about the sport previously, Perry joked: “I absolutely love the sport. But I wish it was called anything other than pickleball.”
He played regularly with pickleball pro Matthew Manasse who shared: “I’ve been playing with Matthew for six months and his progress is just amazing—I attribute it to his effort and his willingness to keep coming back."
He could be seen at the courts most days (BACKGRID)Manasse continued: “He’s got a badass serve and his forehand drive is also pretty money,” says Manasse. “He’s an awesome guy to be around—he’s hilarious. When he’s on a pickleball court, he brings that energy too. A pickler who can serve and make you laugh? Talk about a dream partner."
Earlier today Friends creators paid a touching tribute to Perry. Marta Kauffman and David Crane who wrote the sitcom said: "We will always cherish the joy, the light, the blinding intelligence he brought to every moment – not just to his work, but in life as well." They described Matthew as a "beloved friend" with a "selfless heart".
He loved the sport but not the name (BACKGRID)
"His forehand drive is also pretty money" (BACKGRID)The trio said they "feel blessed" to have known him and further described him as a "brilliant talent". Discussing casting him as Chandler, they said that there was "no one else for [them]" after first hearing Matthew "embody the role".
Social media has been flooded with tributes from fans of the 90s sitcoms and fellow celebrities, describing Perry as one of a kind.