Friends co-creators/executive producers Marta Kauffman and David Crane and the series’ executive producer/director Kevin Bright have issued a statement following the sudden death of star Matthew Perry at age 54.
In it, they recall how Perry got the role of Chandler Bing in the audition room, launching decades of collaboration and friendship.
“We will always cherish the joy, the light, the blinding intelligence he brought to every moment – not just to his work, but in life as well,” the trio said, ending their tribute with a somber take on Friends‘ famous episode titles, “This truly is The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken.”
Kauffman, Crane and Bright reunited with Perry and the rest of the Friends cast for the 2021 reunion special on Max, for which they all shared an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded).
As Deadline reported, Perry was found unconscious late Saturday afternoon at his L.A. home by first responders who were unable to revive him after a possible drowning.
Here is Kauffman, Crane and Bright’s full statement:
We are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by our beloved friend Matthew’s passing. 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. It’s a cliche to say that an actor makes a role their own, but in Matthew’s case, there are no truer words. From the day we first heard him embody the role of Chandler Bing, there was no one else for us. We will always cherish the joy, the light, the blinding intelligence he brought to every moment – not just to his work, but in life as well. He was always the funniest person in the room. More than that, he was the sweetest, with a giving and selfless heart.
We send all of our love to his family and friends. This truly is The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken.
Friends co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane, and EP Kevin Bright