Days after news of Matthew Perry’s passing, his co-stars on the timelessly popular TV show “Friends” have released a joint statement to PEOPLE. Signed by Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer, it goes:
“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family. 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. For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”
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In an earlier statement, “Friends” creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane with executive producer Kevin Bright reportedly announced together:
“We are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by our beloved friend Matthew’s passing. It still seems impossible. All we can say is that we feel blessed to have had him as part of our lives. He was a brilliant talent.”
“It’s a cliche to say that an actor makes a role their own, but in Matthew’s case, there are no truer words. From the day we first heard him embody the role of Chandler Bing, there was no one else for us.”
“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.”
“We send all of our love to his family and friends. This truly is The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken.”
Warner Bros. TV, the studio behind “Friends,” also spoke about Perry’s passing on their official social media account, stating:
“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.”
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The 54-year-old “Friends” star was found dead at his Los Angeles home by law enforcement, as initially reported by TMZ. Prior to Perry’s sudden death, he published his memoir titled “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing” in November 2022. In 2021, he reunited with “Friends” co-stars Aniston, Cox, Kudrow, LeBlanc, and Schwimmer, and creators Bright, Kauffman, and Crane on the “Friends: The Reunion” special.
Aside from his breakout role as Chandler Bing in the ’90s sitcom, Perry also played characters in the 2009 movie “17 Again” with Zac Efron, and the 1991 episode of the TV show “Beverly Hills, 90210,” to name a few.
Could we be more sad?
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