The cast of the hit television show “Friends” said they are “utterly devastated” by the loss of cast mate Matthew Perry, who died over the weekend at the age of 54.
“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We are more than just cast mates. We are a family,” actors Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer wrote in a joint statement to PEOPLE Magazine. “There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.”
“In time we will say more, as and when we are able,” the statement continued. “For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”
Perry was found dead at his Los Angeles home on Saturday, according to the Associated Press, citing the coroner’s records. An investigation into his death remains ongoing and may take weeks to determine a cause.
His body was found in a hot tub at his home, according to unnamed sources cited by the Los Angeles Times and TMZ, which first reported the news.
Perry, became a largely popular figure in Hollywood in the 1990s, and was most known for his role as “Chandler Bing” in the TV sitcom “Friends” that ran from 1994 to 2004. Across its 10 seasons, the show featured the adventures, jokes and relationships of six friends in New York City.
As Chandler, Perry played the quick-thinking and somewhat neurotic roommate to character Joey Tribbiani, played by LeBlanc.
Perry was open about his struggles with addiction, though it is still unclear if substances played a role in his death.
In 2022, Perry detailed his experience with addiction in a memoir, which began with the words, “Hi, my name is Matthew, although you may know me by another name. My friends call me Matty. And I should be dead,” per The AP.
The AP reported Perry’s memoir jumped to No. 1 on Amazon on Sunday following his death.
A tribute to Perry was also shared in a joint post on Instagram from the “Friends,” and Warner Bros accounts that wrote, “We are devastated to learn of Matthew Perry’s passing. He was a true gift to us all. Our heart goes out to his family, loved ones, and all of his fans.”
Earlier this week, “Friends” co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane and executive producer Kevin Bright issued a joint statement writing, “This truly is The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken. 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. He was always the funniest person in the room. More than that, he was the sweetest, with a giving and selfless heart.”
The Associated Press contributed.
Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
