Matthew Perry's Family Speaks Out After the Star's 'Tragic' Death: 'We Are Heartbroken' (Exclusive)
"Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend," his family tells PEOPLE in an exclusive statement
Matthew Perry's family is speaking out.
After the actor died by an apparent drowning at age 54 on Saturday, his family tells PEOPLE in an exclusive statement that they are "heartbroken" by his "tragic" death.
"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."
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Matthew Perry with sister Maria, dad John Bennett and stepmom Debbie PerryRelated: Matthew Perry Dead at 54 After Apparent Drowning
Matthew was found dead at a Los Angeles-area home on Saturday. TMZ reported that Perry was found in a jacuzzi at the residence, and first responders were called to the residence for cardiac arrest.
No drugs were found at the scene and no foul play was reported, TMZ added.
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Matthew PerryA Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson later told PEOPLE on Saturday that officers responded to a call at Matthew's address regarding the death of a male in his 50s, though authorities would not confirm the deceased's identity.
Following his death, Warner Bros. TV, which produced Friends, said in a statement about the beloved actor: “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."
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Matthew Perry with mom Suzanne and sister EmilyRelated: Matthew Perry's Parents: All About His Dad John, Mom Suzanne and Stepdad Keith Morrison
Matthew was raised by his father, John Bennett Perry, mother, Suzanne Morrison, and stepfather, Dateline journalist Keith Morrison.
John and Suzanne welcomed Matthew in 1969, but they split less than a year later. (Both John and Suzanne remarried and welcomed more children with their respective partners: Suzanne wed Keith in 1981, while John married wife Debbie the same year.)
Matthew — who has five siblings from his parents' later marriages — grew up in Ottawa, Canada, with his mother before moving to California to live with his father as a teenager. He followed in his dad's acting footsteps, and the two shared the screen on many occasions, including when the elder Perry appeared on Matthew's hit show Friends in 1998.
Matthew's parents were also by his side throughout his long struggle with addiction. When he was hospitalized in 2018 after his colon burst due to years of opioid use, they rushed to the hospital to be with their son. “They were both standing at the edge of my bed,” Matthew recalled to Diane Sawyer on ABC News in October 2022. “I was like, ‘Whoa, I must be really sick for this to be happening.’ ”
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