Friends Cast Issues a Joint Statement Following the Passing of Matthew Perry
The cast of the beloved TV show “Friends,” including Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, and Lisa Kudrow, has come together in their collective sorrow to honor their co-star, Matthew Perry, who recently passed away unexpectedly.
“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family,” the cast stated in a joint message shared with People on Monday.
While there are many sentiments to express, for now, we will take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss. “In time we will say more, as and when we are able,” they continued. “For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”
Matthew Perry, aged 54, rose to fame alongside his five co-stars, who became real-life friends in the 1990s. Their heartfelt tribute comes following the shocking news of Matthew’s passing.
On October 28, the Friends star was discovered lifeless in his hot tub by emergency responders. According to law enforcement, 911 dispatched responders to the scene around 4:00 p.m. PST due to reports of cardiac arrest. Upon arrival, they initiated water rescue procedures, suspecting drowning as the cause of the incident. At the time, it was reported that there were no illegal drugs present, and foul play was not suspected.
“Friends” premiered in 1994 and enjoyed a decade-long run, concluding in 2004 with record-breaking viewership, garnering more than 50 million viewers for its final episode. The cast reassembled in 2021, where Perry, overwhelmed by emotions, broke into tears during their reminiscing about the series. Courteney Cox, who played his on-screen wife, described the experience as “an incredible time” and emphasized the deep bond they developed as best friends. Perry acknowledged the sentiment, adding, “Yep, I’m going to cry now.”
In his memoir, Perry openly shared his struggle to watch the show as it reminded him of the challenging times he endured. “I didn’t watch the show, and haven’t watched the show, because I could go, drinking, opiates, drinking, cocaine,” he revealed. “I could tell season by season by how I looked. That’s why I don’t wanna watch it because that’s what I see.”
In addition to the personal toll on his health, Perry shared how his appearance throughout the series makes it challenging for him to view. He confessed, “I was taking 55 Vicodin a day, I weighed 128 lbs, I was on Friends getting watched by 30 million people — and that’s why I can’t watch the show, ‘cause I was brutally thin. I had a rule that I would never drink or do drugs while working.”
Leading up to his passing, Matthew Perry had been vocal about his struggles with addiction. He disclosed that there were parts of his time on “Friends” that he couldn’t remember due to his battles with substance abuse. In recent years, he has made efforts to maintain sobriety.
The Friends crew also extended their condolences to the star, expressing their grief and calling him a “true gift.” The official Twitter account shared, “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.”
