The cast of “Friends” are “reeling” from the death of their beloved “brother” Matthew Perry, sources tell Page Six. Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow are preparing to release a joint statement after their former co-star was found dead in his Los Angeles home Saturday at age 54, we’re told.
“The cast is reeling from the loss of their brother, because that’s what Matty was — their brother,” an industry source told us Sunday. “It’s just devastating.”
The series, which ran for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004, catapulted all six of the actors to international stardom, and led to decades-long friendships. Perry, who was open about his struggles with alcohol and drug addiction, remained especially close with Aniston, 54, after the iconic sitcom wrapped. “She was the one that reached out the most. You know, I’m really grateful to her for that,” he told Diane Sawyer in 2022.
In his 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” Perry also revealed that it was Aniston who initially confronted him when his substance abuse became evident to his cast-mates. However, the source said, “The entire cast are close, they will be devastated, because they were together through the best of times and worst of times.”
They added, “And when Matty was sick, they protected him, they looked him after him fiercely.” Meanwhile, Perry’s family spoke out following his sudden death over the weekend.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother,” the family told People in a statement. “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,” they concluded.
The “17 Again” actor was found dead in his jacuzzi from an apparent drowning. Emergency services rushed to Perry’s Pacific Palisades home after receiving a call about a cardiac arrest from his assistant who found him unconscious.
An official cause of death has not yet been released, however law enforcement sources told TMZ that there was no evidence of foul play. Although the sitcom star, who publicly battled opioid addiction, did not have any illicit drugs on the premises at the time of his death, the outlet reported that several prescription drugs were discovered. “Authorities found anti-depressants, anti-anxiety drugs and a COPD drug in the house,” TMZ claimed. Perry is survived by his parents and five half-siblings: Caitlin, Emily, Maria, Will and Madeline. He was never married nor did he have any children.
Source: Sara Nathan and Emily Selleck/NY Times
