Matthew Perry will always hold a special place in the hearts of his Friends family.
That certainly rings true for costars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer, who honored the late actor in a moving message on Oct. 30.
“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew,” the five stars began in a joint statement to E! News. “We were more than just cast mates. We are a family.”
They continued, “There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.”
The cast said that they will speak more on the tragedy in the future.
“In time we will say more, as and when we are able,” Aniston, Cox, Kudrow, LeBlanc and Schwimmer added. “For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”
Perry—who captivated fans around the world with his performance as Chandler Bing on Friends—died on Oct. 28 after an apparent drowning at his California home, his rep and a law enforcement source confirmed to NBC News. He was 54.
The incident, according to the law enforcement source, was “treated as a water rescue,” and there’s no apparent foul play.
After news of his death emerged, actress Maggie Wheeler—who portrayed Perry’s onscreen love interest Janice on Friends—reflected on their time together.
“Mathew Perry. The joy you brought to so many in your too short lifetime will live on,” she wrote on Instagram Oct. 28 alongside a photo with Perry on the sitcom. “I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared.”
NBCU Photo BankFriends co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane, as well as the show’s executive producer Kevin Bright, also paid tribute to the late star.
“We are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by our beloved friend Perry’s passing,” they said in a joint statement, obtained by NBC News Oct. 29. “It still seems impossible. All we can say is that we feel blessed to have had him as part of our lives.”
Michael Buckner/Getty Images“He was a brilliant talent. It’s a cliché to say that an actor makes a role their own, but in Perry’s case, there are no truer words,” the trio continued. “From the day we first heard him embody the role of Chandler Bing, there was no one else for us. 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.”
Additionally, they said, Perry had a giving and selfless heart.
“We send all of our love to his family and friends,” they concluded. “This truly is The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken.”
Keep reading to see more emotional tributes to Perry…
NBCJennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc & David Schwimmer
“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.”
Stephen Lovekin/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images/Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagicGwyneth Paltrow
“I met Matthew Perry in 1993 at the Williamstown Theater Festival in Massachusetts,” Gwyneth Paltrow wrote in a tribute on Instagram. “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. We drove out to swim in creeks, had beers in the local college bar, kissed in a field of long grass. It was a magical summer. 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. 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.”
Rachel Murray / Getty Images for Clinique/Screen Media Films / Dayn Nanda / E! NewsAdele
During Adele‘s Oct. 28 concert in Las Vegas, which took place just hours after Matthew’s death was confirmed, she paused her show to honor him, recalling the impact he had on her childhood. “One of my friends, Andrew, when I was 12 did the best Chandler impression,” she told the crowd. “And he would do it all the time to make us laugh. And if anyone was having a bad day or feeling low, he would just pretend to be Chandler. And I’ll remember that character for the rest of my life.”
ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty ImagesMaggie Wheeler
Maggie Wheeler, who played one of Perry’s most memorable love interests on Friends, wrote on Instagram, “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.”
Magma Agency/WireImageSalma Hayek
After his passing, Perry’s Fools Rush In costar Salma Hayek noted it took a “couple of days to process this profound sadness.”
“There is a special bond that happens when you share dreams with someone, and together you work towards them,” she wrote in an Oct. 30 Instagram post. “I was very moved last year when Matthew shared on his Instagram stories how much he loved ‘Fools Rush In,’ and how he thought that that film we did together was probably his best movie.”
“Throughout the years, he and I found ourselves reminiscing about that meaningful time in our lives with a deep sense of nostalgia and gratitude,” she continued. “My friend, you are gone much too soon, but I will continue to cherish your silliness, your perseverance, and your lovely heart. Farewell, sweet Matthew, we will never forget you.”
Nicholas Hunt / Frazer Harrison / Getty ImagesIone Skye
Alongside her final texts with Matthew days before his death, his former costar Ione Skye wrote on Instagram, “My last exchange a week ago. I’m very very sad. Loved this guy.”
Matthew Eisman/Getty Images, Cindy Ord/WireImageKathleen Turner
Kathleen Turner, who played Chandler Bing’s parent on Friends, told People, “He had a good sense of humor and a good heart. He liked other people, which, to me, is terribly important, especially for an actor.”
Getty ImagesShannen Doherty
The Beverly Hills, 90210 star remembered her time spent with the Emmy nominee.
“Matt always had THAT sense of humor,” she wrote on Instagram. “Matt and I had a date and it was on Valentine’s Day. He wanted to get a reservation at a restaurant in Malibu but couldn’t so my dad got the reservation for him. We went and he talked about my dads Irish persuasiveness the majority of the night. Our friendship spanned a long time. A lifetime really. I know many are hurting, especially our little gang. He will be missed by many and definitely by us. Yes. I could be more poetic or say things better but right now, shock and sadness prevail.”
NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty ImagesMorgan Fairchild
Morgan Fairchild, who played Chandler Bing’s mother on Friends, paid tribute to her onscreen son, captioning a social media post, “I’m heartbroken about the untimely death of my ‘son’. 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 on Flamingo Road & Falcon Crest.”
Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Se?zaneRumer Willis
The Whole Nine Yards actress, who worked alongside dad Bruce Willis and Perry during the 2000 film, shared a touching tribute after Perry’s passing.
“I’m so sad to hear about Matthew Perry passing,” she captioned an Instagram post. “When I was a kid and I was on set while he and my dad were doing whole nine and whole 10 yards he was so kind and funny and sweet with my sisters and me and I think his physical comedy and that movie still makes me laugh so much, I know he had many challenges in his life and brought a lot of joy to people with his comedy I hope he can rest peacefully.”
Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty ImagesPaget Brewster
Paget Brewster, who played the role of Kathy in the fourth season of Friends, remembered the time spent alongside the actor on set.
“I’m so very sad to hear about @MatthewPerry,” she wrote on X. “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.”
Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty ImagesYvette Nicole Brown
Perry’s Odd Couple costar reflected on his legacy, sharing a statement to social media.
“Our #OddCouple family suffered a great loss today,” she wrote on X, alongside a photo featuring the cast. “The entire entertainment world has. I am too sad about the news to say more than this: @mattyperry4 was a sweetheart who deserved more peace in this life. 54 is too young to go. We love you, Matty! #RIPMatthewPerry.”
Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for A+EOlivia Munn
The Violet star praised the actor for opening up about his sobriety journey after his passing.
“He struggled so much with addiction and was brave enough to be open and honest about it,” Olivia Munn wrote on Instagram Story Oct. 28. “I’m so sorry to his family and friends who are getting this news today. Nothing short of heartbreaking.”
Source: Eonline