Matthew Perry's Friends co-stars pay touching tribute after he dies aged 54

The cast of Friends has taken to social media to pay tribute to co-star Matthew Perry.

Perry passed away at the age of 54, found in a hot tub at his home in Los Angeles by authorities on Saturday (28 October).

Fans of the actor - who rose to global fame playing the role of Chandler Bing in hit US sitcom Friends - are flooding to social media to commemorate him.

Perry's Friends co-stars have since publicly addressed his passing.

Perry starred alongside Jennifer Aniston (Rachel Green), David Schwimmer (Ross Geller), Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe Buffay), Courtney Cox (Monica Geller) and Matt LeBlanc (Joey Tribbiani) in the sitcom, first released on NBC in 1994.

The series ran for 10 seasons across 10 years and was ranked as one of the best shows of all time on multiple TV lists - it was a staple series of childhoods and a go-to comfort watch in many people's lives.

The cast - friends not just onscreen but with close bonds in real life too - returned for a reunion special in 2021, and now they've come together once again to pay a touching tribute to Perry.

NBC

They wrote in a collective statement: "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."

Getty Images/ NBCU Photo Bank/ NBCUniversal

Friends star, Maggie Wheeler, who played the role of Janice Hosenstein - Chandler's long-term on-off girlfriend - took to Instagram to pay tribute to Perry earlier today (Sunday, 29 October).

She wrote: "What a loss. The world will miss you Mathew 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."

Perry's on-screen mom, played by Morgan Fairchild also commemorated the star.

The actor said: "I’m heartbroken about the untimely death of my 'son', Matthew Perry.

"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. #RIPMatthew."

X

The official Friends page on X - formerly known as Twitter - also shared a photograph of Perry.

The caption reads: "We are devastated to learn of Matthew Perry’s passing. He was a true gift to us all. Our heart goes out to his family, loved ones, and all of his fans."

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677