Three days after Matthew Perry’s sudden death, the Friends star continues to trend on social media sites as fans, co-stars, and friends of the actor grieve and pay tribute. However, everyone is asking: Why hasn’t the cast spoken out yet?
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The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken
For 10 years, Matthew Perry played Friends‘ wingman–turned–leading man Chandler Bing in a comedic performance that won the hearts of many worldwide. Since then, many co-stars and even the creators of the show have issued statements paying tribute to Perry.
Series co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane were joined by executive producer Kevin Bright in issuing a joint statement on Sunday.
“We are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by our beloved friend Matthew’s passing,” they wrote. “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.”
Reflecting on Perry’s performance, they noted, “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.” They continued, “We send all of our love to his family and friends. This truly is The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken.”
Celebrities pay tribute
Other co-stars and friends have also taken to Instagram and other social media to pay tribute to the actor. Maggie Wheeler, who played Perry’s love interest on Friends for the first few seasons, Janice, spoke out on Saturday, saying “What a loss. The world will miss you Matthew 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.”
Gwyneth Paltrow shared a sweet tribute on Instagram, reflecting on the “magical summer” she spent with Perry. In the caption, Paltrow wrote, “We stayed friends for a while until we drifted apart, but I was always happy to see him when I did. I am super sad today, as so many of us are. I hope Matthew is at peace at long last. I really do.”
Singers Adele and Charlie Puth have also paid tribute to Perry.
Friends cast report they will say more “in time”
However, fans have most anticipated the response from his co-stars — Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer. Many fans have tweeted “Why haven’t the other Friends cast posted anything yet”.
why haven't the other friends cast posted anything yetttt
— earvin (@earvinnoay1) October 29, 2023
They do not owe anyone a statement on the passing of their very close friend.
On Monday, the cast members spoke out in a joint statement, exclusively obtained by PEOPLE, which stated, “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.”
The cast members have lost family. This is why, at a time like this, it is best to remember that they are not obligated to grieve a very shocking and traumatic loss publicly. More than anything, they require privacy at this hard time.
Our thoughts are with Matthew Perry’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.
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