TheFriendscast is mourning one of their own.
“In time we will say more, as and when we are able,” the statement continues. “For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”
‘Friends’ cast.NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty
For 10 years, Perry playedFriends' wry wingman–turned–leading man Chandler Bing in a pitch-perfect comedic performance that landed him a 2002 Emmy nomination.
NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty
Reflecting on Perry’s breakout performance, they noted, “It’s a cliche to say that an actor makes a role their own, but in Matthew’s case, there are no truer words. From the day we first heard him embody the role of Chandler Bing, there was no one else for us.”
NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Kaufman, Crane and Bright’s statement continued, “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.”
The statement also included condolences for others grieving Perry, as well as a sweet reference to theFriendstitle tradition. “We send all of our love to his family and friends. This truly is The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken.”
Morgan Fairchild, who played Chandler’s mother on the series, also shared her sadness at the actor’s death.
“I’m heartbroken about the untimely death of my ‘son’, Matthew Perry,” she wrote on Saturday, hours after news of Perry’s death broke. “The loss of such a brilliant young actor is a shock. I’m sending love & condolences to his friends & family, especially his dad,John Bennett Perry, who I worked with onFlamingo Road&Falcon Crest. #RIPMatthew”
In Perry’s 2004 bookFriends … ‘Til the End, he recalled, “I was 24 when I got on the show. I’ll be 34 when it’s over, and those are really important years in somebody’s life."
“So to do it all in public … was difficult,” Perry continued. “At first you have the wave of ‘I’m famous, and this is exactly what I’ve wanted my whole life.’ But then you go through the whole recluse stage where you think, ‘I wish everybody would stopstaringat me.' "
He added: “And then you eventually, hopefully, get through all that. You find things in your life that are grounding, like your family and good friends.”
‘Friends’ cast.Warner Bros. Television
Warner Bros. Television
Back in 2021, theFriendscast reunited for a PEOPLE cover storyin support of the unscripted specialFriends: The Reunion,which premiered that May on HBO Max.
“I feel like we can pick up right where we left off, and no time’s passed,” Kudrow told PEOPLE at the time. “We’re connected no matter what.”
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A year later, when Perry appeared solo on aPEOPLE cover storyto promote his memoirFriends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing,the star detailed how theFriendscast supported him amid his struggles with substance abuse.
“They were understanding, and they were patient,” he said. “It’s like penguins. In nature, when one is sick or very injured, the other penguins surround it and prop it up and walk around until that penguin can walk on its own. And that’s kind of what the cast did for me.”
‘Friends’ cast.Reisig & Taylor/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Perry wasfound deadat his Los Angeles-area home on Saturday. He was 54.
According toTMZ, who first reported the death news, law enforcement sources indicated that there were no drugs found at the scene. There were also no signs of foul play present.
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department told PEOPLE Saturday that officersresponded to a callat Perry’s address regarding the death of a male in his 50s, but would not confirm the deceased’s identity.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed to PEOPLE thatan autopsy has been completedand results are pending a toxicology report. However, an online record has the status of the actor’s cause of death currently listed as “deferred” since it’s “pending additional investigation.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
source: people.com
