Following the actor’s apparent drowning at the age of 54 on Saturday, his family, in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, expresses being “heartbroken” over his “tragic” demise.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother,” the family says. “Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend.”
They add: “You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.”
Matthew Perry was discovered deceased at a residence in the Los Angeles area on Saturday. According to TMZ, Perry was found in a jacuzzi at the location, and emergency responders were called to the scene due to cardiac arrest.
It was reported that no drugs were found at the site, and there were no signs of foul play, as per TMZ’s information.
On Saturday, a spokesperson from the Los Angeles Police Department informed PEOPLE that they responded to a call at Matthew Perry’s address concerning the death of a male in his 50s, although the authorities did not confirm the deceased’s identity.
Following his passing, Warner Bros. TV, the production company behind Friends, released a statement mourning the loss of Matthew Perry: “We are devastated by the passing of our dear friend Matthew Perry. Matthew was an incredibly gifted actor and an indelible part of the Warner Bros. Television Group family. The impact of his comedic genius was felt around the world, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of so many. This is a heartbreaking day, and we send our love to his family, his loved ones, and all of his devoted fans.”
Matthew Perry was raised by his father, John Bennett Perry, his mother, Suzanne Morrison, and his stepfather, Dateline journalist Keith Morrison.
Matthew was born in 1969 to John and Suzanne; however, they separated less than a year after his birth. Both John and Suzanne went on to remarry and have more children with their respective partners: Suzanne married Keith in 1981, while John tied the knot with his wife, Debbie, in the same year.
Matthew Perry grew up in Ottawa, Canada, alongside his five siblings from his parents’ subsequent marriages. Initially living with his mother, he later moved to California during his teenage years to reside with his father, John Bennett Perry. Following in his father’s acting footsteps, Matthew and John appeared together on various occasions, including when John made a guest appearance on Matthew’s popular show Friends in 1998.
Throughout Matthew’s prolonged battle with addiction, his parents remained a constant source of support. In 2018, when he was hospitalized due to complications from years of opioid use, his parents rushed to his side. Reflecting on the experience during an interview with Diane Sawyer on ABC News in October 2022, Matthew recalled the moment, saying, “They were both standing at the edge of my bed. I was like, ‘Whoa, I must be really sick for this to be happening.’”
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