‘Friends’ cast members release joint statement following Matthew Perry’s death

Matthew Perry’s former “Friends” castmates expressed grief over his recent death in a joint statement shared with People magazine.

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

The statement was signed by Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer.

Perry starred as Chandler Bing — the awkward-but-loveable jokester — on the hit sitcom “Friends” for 10 years. Members of the “Friends” cast earned a reputation for being a tight-knit group of friends on and off set.

Series co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane, along with executive producer Kevin Bright, released a joint statement on Sunday following Perry’s death.

“We are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by our beloved friend Matthew’s passing,” Kauffman, Crane and Bright 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.”

“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 continued, per CBS News.

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

Perry was found dead at his Los Angeles home on Saturday night, as the Deseret News previously reported. He was 54.

The late actor’s family shared a statement about his death on Sunday, writing: “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 a friend. You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love,” read the statement, which was shared with People.

Several former “Friends” cast members and other Hollywood stars have expressed sadness over Perry’s death.

“My oldest boy friend. All of us loved Matthew Perry, and I did especially. Every day. I loved him unconditionally. And he me. And I’m broken. Broken hearted. Sweet dreams Matty. Sweet dreams,” Selma Blair, who guest starred on “Friends” in 2002, wrote on Instagram.

Maggie Wheeler, known for her recurring role as Janice on the hit sitcom, also shared grief at Perry’s passing, writing, “What a loss. The world will miss you Matthew 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,” on Instagram, alongside a photo of her with Perry on set.

Gwyneth Paltrow, who acted alongside Perry during the summer of 1993, recalled “a magical summer” with the actor before he was catapulted into fame following the premiere of “Friends.”

“I met Matthew Perry in 1993 at the Williamstown Theater Festival in Massachusetts. We were both there for most of the summer doing plays. He was so funny and so sweet and so much fun to be with,” Paltrow wrote on Instagram.

“He had shot the pilot of Friends but it had not aired yet. He was nervous, hoping his big break was just around the corner. It was,” she continued. “We stayed friends for a while until we drifted apart, but I was always happy to see him when I did. I am super sad today, as so many of us are. I hope Matthew is at peace at long last. I really do.”

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote, “I’ll never forget the schoolyard games we used to play, and I know people around the world are never going to forget the joy he brought them. Thanks for all the laughs, Matthew,” per X, the social media platform formally known as Twitter.

Perry and Trudeau went to elementary school together; Perry’s mother was a secretary for Trudeau’s father, former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.