Matthew Perry’s family make announcement after actor’s tragic death aged 54
Topics: Celebrity, Matthew Perry, Friends
Emily Brown
Featured Image Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Topics: Celebrity, Matthew Perry, Friends
The family of Matthew Perry have spoken out after the actor was found dead at his home at the age of 54.
Perry, who starred as Chandler Bing for 10 years on Friends, was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his home in Los Angeles at about 4pm local time, according to law enforcement sources.
There were no signs of foul play or drugs on the scene, and an investigation is currently underway.
In the wake of the news, Perry's family joined millions of people paying tribute as they released a statement to People.
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Perry was born in August 1969 to his mother, journalist Suzanne Marie Morrison, and father, actor John Bennett Perry.
He was raised by his mother in Ontario after his parents split up, and his mom later went on to marry Keith Morrison, who is known for hosting NBC News’ Dateline.
He was also the oldest of five half-siblings, Caitlin, Emily, Maria, Will and Madeline.
In their statement, Perry's family said: "We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother.
"Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend.
"You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love."
In his memoir released last year, Perry recalled how he often used his family as an audience when he was growing up.
“I had had a solid training at home; whenever there was tension, or I needed attention, I’d honed my skills at delivering a killer line,” Perry wrote in Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.
He continued: “If I was performing well, everything was safe, and I was being taken care of. I might have been an unaccompanied minor, but when I got laughs, there was a whole audience — my mother, my siblings, the Murray brothers, kids in school — who would stand and applaud me.”
The statement from Perry's family comes after a number of his former co-stars and other fans paid tribute to the actor in the wake of his passing.
Actor Selma Blair, who played Wendy in a Christmas episode of Friends, described the actor as her 'oldest boy friend' in a post on Instagram.
"All of us loved Matthew Perry, and I did especially. Every day," she wrote, alongside a picture of herself and the star.
"I loved him unconditionally. And he me. And I'm broken. Broken hearted. Sweet dreams Matty. Sweet dreams."