Chandler

Chandler Bing never existed. A man called Matthew Perry has died, a man with mental health problems and addictions - he had family and friends who cared about him. Who actually knew him.
It’s sad, but you didn’t know him. You knew Chandler Bing. Who never really existed.

Chandler the character still exists
Friends is still on Netflix.
You can still enjoy the show/the character.
As it is he was probably my favourite character, him and Phoebe, so I'll still enjoy it and be thankful.
It's sad that the actor behind him is no longer alive, but the actor and the character were/are completely separate entities.

That is a weird take.
He was obviously capable at acting even when addicted.
Lots of actors don't also want to write.

YNBU. In fact, this is one of the few reasonable posts I have seen about this situation.

You're clear that you miss the Friends character because Friends was such a big deal in the culture during your childhood. That's understandable. It is disorienting that we're old enough to see childhood stalwarts disappearing.

The worrying posts are the ones that conflate the character with the person. My reaction to the news is the opposite of yours. It's shocking to be reminded of what things were like. The publication of Britney's memoir and the reminder of how good this addict had it are a painful reminder.

That an addict with powerful connections was able to step into one of the best jobs on the planet and then keep it even when he showed up to work impaired. That a man with powerful connections was able to step right into the writers' room at the show and then bleat that no one else on the cast was "interested" in doing that. There are obviously still nepo babies but occasionally other people get opportunities these days, even women!

I do understand that Friends was a major part of childhood for many people and it's perfectly reasonable that the new is sad for you because of that but I'm glad that period is over.