The “Friends” cast released a statement grieving the loss of Matthew Perry, who was found dead in his Los Angeles home this past Sunday. Image: @courteneycoxofficial via Instagram
The cast of Friends have released a joint statement grieving the loss of their former co-star Matthew Perry, who was found dead in his Los Angeles home this past Sunday.
Perry, aged 54 at the time of his death, was best known for his role in the long-running sitcom Friends, which revolved around a group of six friends living in adjacent apartments in New York City.
Perry’s character, Chandler Bing, was known for his sarcastic humour and was a fan favourite of the series, which ran from 1994 to 2004.
He starred in the series alongside fellow actors Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer.
Two days after his death, the cast released a joint statement to People magazine regarding the devasting news of Perry’s unexpected passing.
“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew,” it read.
“We were more than just castmates. 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.”
In the past, Perry had spoked openly about his long and public struggle with addiction, a major theme of his 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing”.
The book begins with the opening line: “Hi, my name is Matthew, although you may know me by another name. My friends call me Matty. And I should be dead.”
In his memoir, Perry chronicles his struggle with addiction to painkillers and alcohol, which he said nearly ended his life on more than one occasion.
Memorials and tributes from fans, friends and colleagues of Perry have flooded in since the news of his passing.
The Los Angeles County coroner is yet to confirm the cause of Perry’s death.
