‘Friends’ Cast ‘Destroyed’ Over Matthew Perry’s Death – ‘It’s A Brother Dying’

The world is still in shock over the death of Matthew Perry, but nobody has been hit harder by it than his former “Friends” co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer.

‘Friends’ Cast ‘Destroyed’ By Perry’s Death

Perry, 54, was found dead in his hot tub at his home in Los Angeles, California on Saturday in an apparent drowning. Jim Burrows, who directed over a dozen episodes of “Friends,” went on the “Today Show” on Thursday morning to reveal how the cast has reacted to his passing.

“I had texted the girls the day we found out,” he said. “They were destroyed. It’s a brother dying.”

Burrows himself has been hit hard by Perry’s death as well.

“He was incredibly inventive. He was inventive with how he did a line,” he said of Perry. “I had to have a couple of days to just let it soak in. He was part of a family and he was the first one to not be part of that family anymore.”

Check out Burrows’ full interview in the video below.

Related: Chilling New Details Emerge About Matthew Perry’s Death After ‘Friends’ Star Is Found Dead In Hot Tub At 54

‘Friends’ Cast Honors Perry

The surviving five cast members of “Friends,” which was on from 1994 until 2004, released a joint statement addressing Perry’s death on Monday.

“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family,” the statement read, according to People Magazine. “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,” it continued. “For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”

Marta Kauffman, David Crane and Kevin Bright, the co-creators and the executive producer, respectively, of “Friends,” told CBS News that they “are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened” by Perry’s death.

“We are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by our beloved friend Matthew’s passing,” they said. “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,” they continued. “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,” they concluded. “More than that, he was the sweetest, with a giving and selfless heart.We send all of our love to his family and friends. This truly is The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken.”

Related: Flashback: Jennifer Aniston Breaks Down Over Thought Of ‘Losing’ Matthew Perry Years Before His Death

Perry’s Death

The New York Post reported that initial tests have revealed that Perry did not have fentanyl or meth in his system at the time of his death. While his autopsy is complete, the coroner has ordered more tests, the results of which could take months to come in.

Perry had been open about his decades-long struggles with addiction to drugs and alcohol, but he was sober in the final years of his life.

“We were so proud of him these last couple of years that he was making a remarkable recovery,” Burrows said, adding that Perry’s death is “so sad.”

Burrows concluded by saying that he hopes that Perry will be remembered as “a wonderful actor, a funny man and a dear friend to a lot of people.”

Please join us in saying a prayer for all of Perry’s loved ones, including his castmates on “Friends,” during this difficult time.