Friends Stars Break Silence on Matthew Perry’s Death: ‘Utterly Devastated’

Days after the unexpected passing of Matthew Perry, the late actor’s co-stars from Friends are paying tribute.

On Saturday, it was revealed that Perry had died at the age of 54. Given the popularity of the series worldwide, Friends stars around the world have been expressing their sadness over the news. Several actors from Friends who played supporting characters had also offered some tributes. Now, Perry’s fellow lead stars from Friends — Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt Le Blanc, and David Schwimmer — have broken their silence on the tragic news, sharing their thoughts in a joint statement, per THR.

“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew,” the statement reads, accompanied by the signatures of all five of Perry’s co-stars. “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.”

The Friends Creators Paid Tribute

This follows a previous statement released by the Friends co-creators, Marta Kauffman and David Crane, along with executive producer Kevin Bright. Noting how the news still “seems impossible,” the statement said in part, “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.”