'Friends' Creators Remember 'Funniest Person' Matthew Perry in Poignant Tribute
Friends Cast and Creators
The Friends family is "shocked" by Matthew Perry's unexpected death.
On Sunday, Oct. 29, creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane, as well as executive producer Kevin Bright, released a joint statement paying tribute to their late colleague.
“We are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by our beloved friend Matthew’s passing,” they penned in a note obtained by People. “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.”
As they continued, the TV legends reflected on Perry's incredible legacy and how his unmatched talent helped shape his beloved Chandler Bing role.
“It’s a cliche to say that an actor makes a role their own, but in Matthew’s case, there are no truer words," the continued. "From the day we first heard him embody the role of Chandler Bing, there was no one else for us.”
Perry portrayed the lovably sarcastic New York resident in all 10 seasons of Friends, which ran on NBC between 1994 and 2004. Per Kauffman, Crane and Bright, Perry had a "blinding intelligence" that "he brought to every moment—not just to his work, but in life as well."
They added, "He was always the funniest person in the room. More than that, he was the sweetest, with a giving and selfless heart.”
At the end of their update, the trio shared, "We send all of our love to his family and friends. This truly is The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken.”
On Saturday, Oct. 28, multiple reports revealed that Perry had passed away at the age of 54. It's said the Serving Sara actor was found unresponsive in his jacuzzi in his Los Angeles, Calif. home.
Many of Perry's famous friends and former co-workers have since paid tribute to the late star.
