or
Sign in with lockrMail
BREAKING NEWS
OK LogoNEWS

'Friends' Cast Speaks Out After Matthew Perry's Sudden Death

friends cast speaks out after matthew perrys sudden death
Source: mega

Oct. 30 2023, Published 6:36 p.m. ET

Link to FacebookShare to XShare to FlipboardShare to Email

The one where they grieve together.

Days after Matthew Perry suddenly passed away on Saturday, October 28, the cast of Friends released a joint message to mourn the tragic loss.

Article continues below advertisement
friends cast speaks out after matthew perrys sudden death
Source: mega

Matthew Perry died at age 54 on October 28.

"We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family," Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc's statement read. "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 continued. "For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world."

Article continues below advertisement
lq
Source: mega

'Friends' ran from 1994 to 2004.

Article continues below advertisement

News of Perry's death was revealed after a call was made about a suspected drowning, and when EMTs arrived at his house, they found his unresponsive body in a hot tub. Though an autopsy was complete, the cause of his death has been deferred as experts wait for toxicology reports.

While prescription drugs were found at the 54-year-old's home, no illegal substances were uncovered.

Article continues below advertisement
Embedded Image
Source: mega

The series racked up countless awards over its run.

Article continues below advertisement

Perry candidly discussed his battle with addiction in his memoir, where he also touched on his lifelong bond with his castmates. During the comedy's highly anticipated 2021 reunion, the actor gushed about the moments when they would unexpectedly run into each other over the years.

"The best way I can describe it is, after the show was over, if we were at a party and one of us bumped into each other, that was it. That was the end of the night. You just sat with the person all night long," he recalled. "You apologized to the people you were with but they had to understand you had met somebody special to you and you were going to talk to that person for the rest of the night."

Article continues below advertisement
Embedded Image
Source: mega

The star's last role was in 2017's 'The Kennedys After Camelot.'

MORE ON:
Matthew Perry

Want OK! each day? Sign up here!

Article continues below advertisement

Despite his battle with addiction, the Friends set was a place where he was never under the influence.

"They were understanding, and they were patient," he said of how his costars handled his low points. "It could be said that [doing the show] saved me."

"It did help me with drugs and alcohol, that job, because I said to myself on this amazing show, 'You can't have the 17th drink when you have to be at work the next morning with these wonderful people doing the job,'" Perry explained.

Added the star, "I had a deal with myself that I'd never drink or take anything while working, and I held up to that deal, but I was insanely hungover doing the work."

Article continues below advertisement
Article continues below advertisement

While the hit sitcom — which ran for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004 — was undoubtedly the 17 Again actor's claim to fame, he revealed that he doesn't want the show to be his legacy.

"I would like to be remembered as somebody who lived well, loved well, was a seeker," he shared in a 2022 interview. "And his paramount thing is that he wants to help people. That's what I want."

Article continues below advertisement

Never miss a story — sign up for the OK! newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what OK! has to offer. It’s gossip too good to wait for!

Article continues below advertisement

"The best thing about me, bar none, is that if an alcoholic or drug addict comes up to me and says, 'Will you help me?' I can say yes and follow up and do it," he spilled. "When I die, I don't want Friends to be the first thing that's mentioned. I want that to be the first thing that's mentioned, and I'm going to live the rest of my life proving that."

People reported the cast's statement.

More From OK! Magazine

    Opt-out of personalized ads

    © Copyright 2024 OK!™️. A DIVISION OF MYSTIFY ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK INC. OK! is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Offers may be subject to change without notice.