Friends cast breaks silence on Matthew Perry’s death
The stars have spoken about the death of their former colleague at the age of 54.
The cast of hit sitcom Friends have broken their silence on the death of their former colleague Matthew Perry in a joint statement.
“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family,” their statement reads. ”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.”
The statement, obtained by PEOPLE magazine, is signed by Perry’s co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matthew LeBlanc and David Schwimmer.
More Tributes have poured in from Hollywood stars following news of the death of actor Matthew Perry.
Perry, 54, who became a sitcom superstar with his role as the sardonic Chandler Bing in the hit show Friends, was found unresponsive in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home in an apparent drowning incident on October 28.
The actors Hollywood peers took to social media to pay tribute to Perry, celebrating his comedic talents and his bravery in forthrightly sharing his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction.
Perry’s Friends co-star Maggie Wheeler, who played Chandler’s on-and-off-again girlfriend Janice wrote that the “world will miss” the actor. “The joy you brought to so many in your too short lifetime will live on.”
Morgan Fairchild, who played Chandler’s mother Nora Bing in the show, said that she was “heartbroken” by the “untimely death” of the star. “The loss of such a brilliant young actor is a shock.”
Friends co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane and executive producer Kevin Bright wrote, in a joint statement, that Perry was “always the funniest person in the room,” and that they were mourning the “joy, the light, the blinding intelligence he brought to every moment.”
“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,”“, the statement read.
Actor Selma Blair paid tribute to her “oldest boy friend.”
“All of us loved Matthew Perry, and I did especially. Every day,” she wrote on Instagram. “I loved him unconditionally. And he me. And I’m broken. Broken hearted. Sweet dreams Matty. Sweet dreams.”
Actor Paul Rudd, who played Phoebe’s boyfriend Mike Hannigan in the show, remembered his friend on Instagram. He wrote, “Words can’t express how saddened I am to hear of Matthew’s passing. You will be missed so so so dearly.”
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, who attended the same school as Perry in Ottawa, Canada, and whose mother worked as an aide to his farther, Canadian prime minister Pierre Trudeau, wrote on X that his death was “shocking and saddening.”
“I’ll never forget the schoolyard games we used to play, and I know people around the world are never going to forget the joy he brought them. Thanks for all the laughs, Matthew. You were loved – and you will be missed.”
Matthew Perry’s passing is shocking and saddening. I’ll never forget the schoolyard games we used to play, and I know people around the world are never going to forget the joy he brought them. Thanks for all the laughs, Matthew. You were loved – and you will be missed.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) October 29, 2023
In a three-minute video shared to X, comedian Hank Azaria said that Perry was “the first friend I made in Los Angeles” and was like a brother to him. Reflecting on his decades-long friendship with the actor, Azaria said that Perry was instrumental in his sobriety journey.
“The night I went into AA, Matthew brought me in. The whole first year I was sober, we went to meetings together,” he said. “As a sober person, he was so caring and giving and wise, and he totally helped me get sober. And I really wish he could have found within himself to stay with the sober life more consistently.”
â¤ï¸ pic.twitter.com/HRIycBPkxG
— Hank Azaria (@HankAzaria) October 29, 2023
Actor Mira Sorvino, who starred alongside Perry in the 1994 drama Parallel Lives, remembered the actor as a “sweet, troubled soul.”
“May you find peace and happiness in Heaven, making everyone laugh with your singular wit,” Sorvino wrote on X.
Talk show host Piers Morgan said that Perry was “a great actor, but by his own admission, a very tormented guy.” Morgan praised the actors 2022 memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible, which described his struggles with addiction and self-esteem, as “one of the most powerful, honest and revealing I’ve ever read.”
Oscar-winning actor Viola Davis wrote on Instagram wrote that news of Perry’s death was “devastating” and that his book “shifted so many close to my heart.”
“Beyond the joy you brought to many, your heart reigned supreme. Rest well.....know that you brought love,” Davis wrote.
Cougar Town co-creator Kevin Biegal wrote “Please never hesitate to reach out to people you know who may be struggling. Or even just to reach out and check in,” on X. Perry and his Friends co-stars Lisa Kudrow and Jennifer Aniston all had guest star roles on the Courtney Cox-led show. “We all go through our battles, it’s hard to work outside of yourself, I know. But if you can, do it, someone may for you.”
Singer Adele paid tribute to the actor at her Las Vegas residency show on Saturday, “It is always so shocking, especially someone that made you laugh and who brought so much joy to your life that you don’t know,” she told the crowd.
“This is what I find so strange, I never met him in my life. There is something, you feel so sad about it especially because you don’t necessarily know what was going on.”
Adele payed a tribute to Matthew Perry, the eternal Chandler from “Friendsâ€.
— FirstCuriosity (@FirstCuriosity) October 29, 2023
'Not Matthew Perry'pic.twitter.com/vcMCLlyquV
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher wrote on Instagram that Perry was “one of our brightest stars.” Perry was a 7 time SAG Award nominee, winning for Best Ensemble Comedy Series in 1996 for Friends. “A brilliant comedian but a sad clown,” wrote Drescher, “I didn’t know him but as Chandler he will always be a ‘friend’.
See more tributes to Perry below.
More Coverage
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. pic.twitter.com/Xv6HkpSEBl
— FRIENDS (@FriendsTV) October 29, 2023
Shocked and saddened to just hear about the passing of Matthew Perry in a tragic drowning. He is one of the many talented and incredible success stories from my hometown of Ottawa Canada. Rest in peace Matthew.
— Tom Green (@tomgreenlive) October 29, 2023
Really struggling to find the words. You were so loved, Matthew. I loved you dearly. Thank you for the belly laughs. You brought joy to so many. We already miss you… sending all of my love to your family & friends 💔 pic.twitter.com/U4J4Ru20B1
— Brooke Shields (@BrookeShields) October 29, 2023
Heartbroken. 💔 I only got to meet Matthew a handful of times, but he was always sharp and kind. He was, and I use this term rarely, a genius. Chandler was one of the all-time great characters and his ability to spin a slightly funny line into absolute comedy gold was… pic.twitter.com/UUkCu8ABYj
— RainnWilson (@rainnwilson) October 29, 2023
Happy trails to you, Matt. Thanks for being you. Wishing you a peaceful journey home through the stars.
— Nancy Sinatra (@NancySinatra) October 29, 2023
If you loved Matthew Perry as I did read his book. You will learn a lot about him. pic.twitter.com/CUHzTCQXBR
I want to leave Matthew Perry’s own words here as the way we remember him. There will never be another like him- he lit up so many hearts in so many ways. Godspeed to Paradise! pic.twitter.com/rUYSeD7tW0
— Mira Sorvino (@MiraSorvino) October 29, 2023
This man brought so much joy and light to so many around the world. He was such a huge part of the Warner Bros. family and he will be greatly missed. Rest in peace, Matthew Perry. pic.twitter.com/GC6Nr5gN34
— Jennifer Hudson (@IAMJHUD) October 29, 2023