We are heartbroken: Matthew Perry's family issues statement after FRIENDS' actor's 'tragic' death

Matthew Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing in FRIENDS, died on Saturday, October 27, due to an apparent drowning. He was 54. Now, the late actor's family has shared a statement revealing they are "heartbroken" by Perry's "tragic" death.

Matthew brought so much joy: Family

Speaking to People, the family shared that the actor brought joy to the world, "both as an actor and a friend". The family thanked the fans for the "outpouring of love" and said that they all meant a lot to the late actor. "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. You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love,” they added.

The actor was raised by his father, John Bennett Perry, mother, Suzanne Morrison, and stepfather, Keith Morrison. Matthew's parents, John and Suzanne, welcomed him in 1969, but they parted ways a year later. Both John and Suzanne remarried and welcomed children with their respective partners, Suzanne married Keith in 1981, while John married Debbie the same year.

Matthew Perry was found dead in his apartment

The actor was found dead in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home on Saturday. He was discovered unresponsive. The cause of death is yet to be ascertained. However, sources informed that no drugs were found at the scene. Additionally, no foul play is suspected, according to law enforcement sources. The Los Angeles Police Department’s robbery-homicide detectives are investigating the death.

Meanwhile, Matthew battled for years with addiction to painkillers and alcohol during the height of his success. In his memoir Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing, Perry described going through detox multiple times and spending millions in repeated attempts to get sober.