The Loss of Matthew Perry: 'Friends' Stars Are Devastated

Los Angeles (AP) - The tragic death of Matthew Perry has left the stars of "Friends" in a state of mourning. Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer, who formed a tight-knit bond during their time on the hit sitcom, expressed their profound grief in a joint statement to People on Monday. They conveyed that they were more than just cast mates; they were a family.

From 1994 to 2004, these five actors, along with Perry, appeared in every episode of all ten seasons of the popular NBC show. However, the untimely passing of Perry at his Los Angeles residence on Saturday, at the age of 54, has left them devastated.

Words fail to capture the depth of their sorrow: "There is so much to say, but right now we're going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss," the statement read. The stars emphasized that in due time, they will share more about their beloved friend. For now, their thoughts and love are with Perry's family, friends, and all those who cherished him worldwide.

This official statement from Aniston, Cox, Kudrow, LeBlanc, and Schwimmer is the first public acknowledgment of Perry's passing.

As the investigation into Perry's death continues, the Los Angeles County coroner has not yet determined the cause, and it may take several weeks for conclusive findings.

Alongside the "Friends" cast, Salma Hayek, Perry's co-star in the 1997 romantic comedy "Fools Rush In," also publicly expressed her sadness over his loss. Perry regarded it as one of his best films.

Profound Sadness Over Loss

"It’s taken me a couple of days to process this profound sadness. There is a special bond that happens when you share dreams with someone, and together you work towards them," Hayek shared in an emotional Instagram post.

Cherishing Memories

"Throughout the years, he and I found ourselves reminiscing about that meaningful time in our lives with a deep sense of nostalgia and gratitude. My friend, you are gone much too soon, but I will continue to cherish your silliness, your perseverance, and your lovely heart."

Fans Mourn Worldwide

Perry's untimely passing has left fans worldwide in mourning. Some have even paid their respects by leaving flowers and heartfelt tributes outside the New York building that served as an iconic exterior for the show.

Sorrow Among Colleagues

Perry's colleagues and friends have also expressed their sorrow. Marta Kauffman and David Crane, the co-creators of "Friends," reflected on the loss, stating that this truly feels like the moment where our hearts are broken - echoing the style of the show's episode titles.

Morgan Fairchild, who played Chandler Bing's mother on the show, and Maggie Wheeler, who portrayed Chandler's on-and-off girlfriend Janice, also shared similar sentiments.