"Utterly Devastated": Matthew Perry's 'Friends' Co-Stars Release An Emotional Joint Statement

The unexpected passing of Matthew Perry at the age of 54 has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit "Friends" community. In the aftermath of this tragic loss, heartfelt tributes have poured in from his former co-stars and admirers as they reflect on his enduring impact, not just as an actor onscreen but as a remarkable force for good beyond the cameras.

Though he is most celebrated for his iconic role as Chandler Bing on the enduring sitcom "Friends," Perry's illustrious Hollywood career also brought him global fame. It also earned him critical acclaim through his many acting roles.

Matthew Perry's five "Friends" co-stars, including Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer, refrained from immediate public statements but released a joint statement through People magazine on Monday.

"We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just castmates. 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."

The statement concluded with, ¡°For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty¡¯s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.¡±

Friends/BTS/Pinterest

Several of Perry's co-stars from the show also paid their respects.

Maggie Wheeler, known for her role as Janice, Chandler's on-and-off girlfriend during the first four seasons of "Friends," shared her tribute on Instagram, penning:

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¡°What a loss. The world will miss you, Matthew Perry. The joy you brought to so many in your too-short lifetime will live on. I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared.¡±

Paget Brewster, known for her character Kathy, who dated Chandler during season 4 of "Friends," expressed her sentiments on X, stating:

I¡¯m so very sad to hear about @MatthewPerry. He was lovely to me on Friends and every time I saw him in the decades after. Please read his book. It was his legacy to help. He won¡¯t rest in peace though.. He¡¯s already too busy making everyone laugh up there.

¡ª paget brewster (@pagetpaget) October 29, 2023

¡°I¡¯m so very sad to hear about Matthew Perry. He was lovely to me on Friends and every time I saw him in the decades after. Please read his book. It was his legacy to help. He won¡¯t rest in peace, though. He¡¯s already too busy making everyone laugh up there.¡±

Matthew Perry, fondly known as 'Matty' by his friends, graced the iconic series "Friends" with his presence for a remarkable 236 episodes spanning over ten seasons from 1994 to 2004.

Friends/Pinterest

In the role of Chandler, he wove a compelling blend of sweetness and sarcasm that endeared him to fans and etched his name into the annals of pop culture.

Perry stood as one of the fundamental six characters that made "Friends" the beloved title it became, sharing the stage with Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer.

screenshot/HBO Max

"Friends" emerged as a juggernaut in the world of television, garnering an impressive 62 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and clinching the coveted Outstanding Comedy Series title in 2002.

In a heartwarming reunion, the cast came together again in 2021 for the Max special, "Friends: The Reunion," reigniting the cherished camaraderie that had endeared them to fans around the globe.

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Beyond the embrace of his "Friends" family, a constellation of Hollywood luminaries, including Mira Sorvino, Josh Charles, and Selma Blair, united in paying heartfelt tributes to Matthew Perry.

They remembered him as a "sweet, troubled soul" and a "great actor," underscoring the depth of his impact on the industry.

Matthew Perry's acting journey extended far beyond the confines of "Friends."

Tribeca Film

He ventured into other series like 2006's "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," 2012's "Go On," and a 2015 revival of "The Odd Couple." His cinematic repertoire included notable films such as 1997's "Fools Rush In," 2000's "The Whole Nine Yards," and 2009's "17 Again."

IMDb

Perry also graced the stage with remarkable performances, including 2003's "Sexual Perversity in Chicago" and a 2016 production of "The End of Longing," both staged in London.

His multifaceted career resonates far beyond his iconic television role.

Matthew Perry was remarkably open about his prolonged battle with drugs and alcohol, which he extensively chronicled in his 2022 memoir, "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing."

Poshmark

Tragically, the LAPD responded to a 911 call on Saturday and found him unconscious and submerged in the jacuzzi in his Pacific Palisades home in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office performed a subsequent autopsy on Sunday, and toxicology test results are still pending.

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