FRIENDS Cast Reacts to the Passing of Matthew Perry in a Joint Statement: "We Are All So Utterly Devastated"
Over the weekend, we heard the sad news that actor Matthew Perry had passed away at his Los Angeles home. At only 54 years old, this news came as a shock to his family, friends, and fans, and reactions have been general disbelief and devastation. It’s so difficult when anyone passes away, but it’s such a blow when it happens unexpectedly.
Perry was best known for his role in the fan-favorite series Friends, which is still a streaming hit, and two years ago, the cast reunited for a hugely successful reunion on HBO, garnering tons of fans tuning in to watch the cast tell stories and reminisce about their experiences and long-lasting love for one another.
Now the co-stars are reuniting once more to express their grief over their loss. Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer wrote in a statement to People on Monday:
“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. 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.”
Some of Perry’s scene partners on the show also paid tribute. Maggie Wheeler, who played Chandler’s on-again, off-again girlfriend Janice on the first four seasons of Friends, took to Instagram to write, “What a loss. The world will miss you Mathew Perry. The joy you brought to so many in your too short lifetime will live on. I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared.”
Paget Brewster, whose Friends character Kathy dated Chandler in season 4, took to X to write, “I’m so very sad to hear about Matthew Perry. He was lovely to me on Friends and every time I saw him in the decades after. Please read his book. It was his legacy to help. He won’t rest in peace though…He’s already too busy making everyone laugh up there.”