The beloved cast of Friends is grieving the loss of Matthew Perry, who passed away unexpectedly. Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer released a joint statement obtained exclusively by PEOPLE. "We are all devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family," the statement reads.

They express their need to grieve and process this unimaginable loss before sharing more in the future.

Their thoughts and love go out to Matthew's family, friends, and fans worldwide. The statement is signed by Aniston, Cox, Kudrow, LeBlanc, and Schwimmer. Perry portrayed the witty Chandler Bing on Friends for 10 years, delivering a flawless comedic performance that earned him an Emmy nomination in 2002. Series co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane, along with executive producer Kevin Bright, also released a joint statement.

They expressed shock and deep sadness over their beloved friend's passing, emphasizing how fortunate they were to have him in their lives. They acknowledged that Perry truly made the role of Chandler Bing his own, adding that he brought joy, intelligence, and kindness to every moment – both on and off-screen. Other Friends favorites joined in paying tribute to Perry. Maggie Wheeler, who played Chandler's on-and-off-again girlfriend Janice on the show, expressed her sorrow on Instagram, saying that the world will miss him and that she feels blessed for the creative moments they shared.

Morgan Fairchild, who portrayed Chandler's mother in the series, also shared her condolences, describing Perry's death as a shock and sending love to his family and friends. In his own words, Perry reflected on his time on Friends in his 2004 book Friends … ‘Til the End. He discussed the challenges of experiencing fame and the support he received from his castmates during difficult times.

He described how they were understanding and patient, creating a supportive environment where he could heal and recover.

The article is not finished. Click on the next page to continue.