“Friends” Cast Finally Gives Heartbreaking Statement After Matthew Perry’s Death

The beloved actors from the hit TV show Friends expressed their deep sorrow and pain following the tragic passing of Matthew Perry. Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer, who shared the screen with Perry, shared their grief in a joint statement to People magazine.

In their heartfelt message:

“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.”

The statement continued:

“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.”

Perry’s Endearing Chandler Bing

Perry’s portrayal of Chandler Bing, a lovably quirky professional in his 30s who donned sweater vests and had a penchant for cigarettes, made him and the entire Friends cast global sensations. The show, which aired from 1994 to 2004, chronicled the everyday ups and downs, inside jokes, and adventures of six young friends living in New York City.

Tragically, on October 28, Perry was discovered unresponsive in a hot tub at his Los Angeles residence. He was 54 years old.

Perry’s fans and colleagues also paid tribute to him on social media. The official Friends Facebook page described him as “a true gift to us all.” NBC, the network that aired the show, acknowledged Perry’s incredible comedic timing and humor, which brought joy to millions worldwide.

Numerous other Hollywood stars shared their sadness. Selma Blair, an actress, posted on Instagram, expressing her deep affection for Perry. Gwyneth Paltrow, who had a romantic relationship with Perry before he achieved stardom, recalled their memorable summer together and his early days before Friends.

Confronting Addiction and Health Challenges

Matthew Perry had been open about his struggles with addiction, which began following an injury in 1997. His addiction led to severe health issues, including an exploded colon, a period on life support, a coma lasting two weeks, nine months with a colostomy bag, and more than a dozen stomach surgeries.

In his memoir published in 2022, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, Perry detailed how his castmates had confronted him about his addiction. Jennifer Aniston and the entire cast had approached him on separate occasions to address his excessive drinking.

The creators of Friends, Marta Kauffman and David Crane, along with the show’s executive producer, Kevin Bright, also expressed their condolences. They shared their love for Perry’s family and friends and referred to this as “The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken.”