‘Friends’ cast react to co-star Matthew Perry’s death

Matthew Perry’s “Friends” co-stars have spoken out following his death at 54. The late star died of an apparent drowning Saturday at his California home.

Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer released a joint statement Monday.

“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family,” read their statement, obtained by People. “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,” the statement continued. “For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”

The message was signed by Aniston, Cox, Kudrow, LeBlanc and Schwimmer.

Perry played Chandler Bing on the NBC comedy during the show’s 10-year run from 1994 to 2004. The entire cast reunited for an HBO Max special in 2021.

One year later, he would open up about their special bond in his very personal memoir, “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing,” and in promotional interviews for his work.

“They were understanding, and they were patient,” he said of his cast mates about his addiction struggles in an interview with People last year. “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.”

Co-creators of the sitcom Marta Kauffman and David Crane and executive producer Kevin Bright also spoke out following the news of his death on Sunday.

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“We are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by our beloved friend Matthew’s passing,” they wrote. “It still seems impossible. All we can say is that we feel blessed to have had him as part of our lives. He was a brilliant talent.”

“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,” the 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.”

Their last words included a nod to how the “Friends” episode titles always began with “The One.”

“We send all of our love to his family and friends. This truly is The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken,” they concluded.

As previously reported, Perry was found dead in the hot tub of his home in Pacific Palisades just after 4 p.m. Saturday. His parents, Suzanne Perry and John Bennett Perry (who divorced in 1970), drove to his residence once the news broke. Suzanne’s husband, “Dateline’s” Keith Morrison, also was photographed alongside authorities. The late star’s body was removed from the home Saturday night.

“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother,” Perry’s family said in a statement Sunday. “Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend.”

They added: “You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.”

On Monday, more details about Perry’s death were revealed by the Los Angeles Times.

According to the outlet, officials received a phone call reporting that the late actor was found underwater in his hot tub and not breathing. The Los Angeles Fire Department arrived at 4:07 p.m. and the Los Angeles Police Department at 4:10 p.m.

“An adult male patient was deceased prior to first response arrival,” the LAFD said in a statement. “The patient was found by a bystander who had re-positioned the victim where the head was out of water.”

The statement continued: “Firefighters pulled the victim out of the jacuzzi and did a quick medical assessment to find he was deceased.”