Matthew Perry’s death weighs on his ex Friends.
The sitcom’s co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane and executive producer Kevin Bright released a joint statement Sunday — less than 24 hours after the actor’s death.
“We are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by the death of our beloved friend Matthew,” they wrote. “It still seems impossible. All we can say is that we feel blessed to have had him as a part of our lives. He was a brilliant talent.”
The three reflected on Perry’s breakout role as Chandler Bing on the ’90s sitcom, a character known for his endless laughs on the show. “It’s a cliché to say that an actor creates a role for himself, but in Matthew’s case there is no truer word. From the day we first heard him embody the role of Chandler Bing, there was no one else for us.”
Matthew Perry 911 Dispatch Audio mentions ‘drowning’ amid death
Friends star on the set of a 90s sitcom. Reisig & Taylor/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
“We will always cherish the joy, the light, the dazzling intelligence that he brought to every moment — not only in his work, but also in life. He was always the funniest person in the room. And more than that, he was the sweetest, giving and selfless heart.”
The statement ended with expressions of sympathy for the other bereaved Perry, as well as a sweet reference to Friends title tradition. “We send all our love to his family and friends. This is truly one where our hearts are broken.”
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Perry died Saturday at his Los Angeles home of apparent drowning, TMZ first reported. He was 54 years old. Law enforcement sources said no drugs were found and there were no signs of foul play at the scene.
A Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson later told PEOPLE on Saturday that officers responded to a call at Matthew’s address regarding the death of a man in his 50s, although authorities would not confirm the identity of the deceased.
The actor’s family released a statement to PEOPLE on Sunday, saying, “We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother. Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and as a friend. You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring love.”
Matthew Perry’s family speak out after star’s ‘tragic’ death: ‘We are heartbroken’ (Exclusive)
In 2022, Perry gave fans the most detailed insight into his life yet with the release of his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Bad Thing: A Memoir. This reflected in his time in the spotlight (and in the Bing place) as well as his lifelong struggle with addiction. At the time of the book’s release, Perry was sober from substances.
“I wanted to share when I was sure I wasn’t going back into the dark side of everything,” he told PEOPLE exclusively in his cover story. “I had to wait until I was fairly sober—and far from the active disease of alcoholism and addiction—to write it all down. And the most important thing was that I was pretty sure it would help people.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the SAMHSA Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
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