The main cast of Friends – Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer – speak out about Matthew Perry’s death.
The main cast of Friends has responded to the death of their former co-star Matthew Perry. Airing from 1994 to 2004, Friends is one of the most enduring and popular sitcoms of all time. Perry played the beloved and sarcastic Chandler Bing throughout the series’ run, and appeared in the main cast alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer. On October 28, Perry was found unresponsive in his hot tub and pronounced dead at the age of 54, although an official cause of death has yet to be revealed.
Now, two days after Matthew Perry’s death, the main cast of Friends has responded to his passing. In a joint statement to People, Aniston, Cox, Kudrow, LeBlanc, and Schwimmer paid tribute to their late co-star and friend. Read their full statement below:
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.
Every Matthew Perry Tribute From His Friends Co-Stars
Following the news of Perry’s death, many of his co-stars from Friends have shared heartfelt tributes to the late actor. Maggie Wheeler, who played Chandler’s on-again-off-again girlfriend Janice in Friends seasons 1-4, took to social media to express her grief, highlight the enduring impact Perry’s life will have, and express gratitude for the creative moments they shared. Co-star Hank Azaria (who played David) posted a tribute video calling Perry a genius:
“Matthew was the first friend I made in Los Angeles when I moved there. I was 21 he was 16. We did a pilot together… we became really good friends and we were really more like brothers for a long time. We drank a lot together, we laughed a lot together. We were there for each other in the early days of our career and he was to me, as funny as he was on Friends and he was and other things too, in person he was just the funniest man ever. And every night, he was like a genius, he would start to weave comedy threads together, just hanging out – little joke here, joke there, joke here, joke there – and then by the end of the night he would weave them all together in this crescendo of hilarity.
Paget Brewster, who played Chandler’s girlfriend Kathy in Friends season 4, expressed deep sadness and praised Perry’s kindness on and after Friends.
Brewster also suggested everyone read Perry’s 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, which represents his legacy of making a positive impact. She also concluded her tribute by saying, “He won’t rest in peace though…He’s already too busy making everyone laugh up there.” Morgan Fairchild, who played Chandler’s mother Nora, said, “I’m heartbroken about the untimely death of my ‘son,’ Matthew Perry.” Selma Blair, who played Chandler’s co-worker Wendy, called Perry her “oldest boy friend” and said, “I’m broken. Broken hearted. Sweet dreams Matty.”
Sarah, Duchess of York, who appeared in a much-talked-about cameo during Friends London episode also offered her own tribute on Instagram: “I remember being thrilled to have met a natural talent, comedian and brilliant actor. It is a tragedy to lose you so early in life, rest in peace dear Matthew… you have given so much joy and laughter to so much.”
Aniston, Cox, Kudrow, LeBlanc, and Schwimmer are just the latest, but the biggest Friends stars to share their shocked and mournful reaction to Perry’s passing. Considering how close the six Friends cast members were, it seems they took extra time to carefully craft a heartfelt tribute worthy of their late, great co-star. However, as indicated by their statement, the main cast still has more to say about Perry’s death.
