Matthew Perry’s Family Speak Out After Star’s ‘Tragic’ Death: ‘We Are Heartbroken’ (Exclusive)

“Matthew has brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and as a friend,” his family tells PEOPLE in an exclusive statement

Matthew PerryThe family speaks out.

After the actor died by drowning At age 54, his family told PEOPLE in an exclusive statement on Saturday that they were “heartbroken” over his “tragic” death.

“We are heartbroken over the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother,” the family said. “Matthew has brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and as a friend.”

They added: “You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous love that has been pouring out for him.”

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Related: Matthew Perry has died aged 54 after apparently drowning

Matthew was found dead in a Los Angeles-area home on Saturday. TMZ reported that Perry was found in a hot tub at the residence and first responders were called to the residence for cardiac arrest.

No drugs were found at the scene and no crime was reported, TMZ added.

Noam Galai/Getty

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A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department told PEOPLE later Saturday that officers responded to a call to Matthews’ address regarding the death of a man in his 50s, although authorities would not confirm the identity of the deceased.

After his death, Warner Bros. produced TV FriendsIn a statement about the beloved actor, he said: “We are devastated by the death 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 his loyal fans.

Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

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Related: Matthew Perry’s Parents: All About His Father John, Mother Suzanne, and Stepfather Keith Morrison

Matthew was raised by his father, John Bennett Perrymother, Suzanne Morrison, and stepfather, Dateline journalist Keith Morrison.

John and Suzanne welcomed Matthew in 1969 but separated less than a year later. (Both John and Suzanne remarried and had additional children with their respective partners: Suzanne married Keith in 1981, while John married his wife Debbie the same year.)

Matthew – who has five siblings from his parents’ later marriages – was raised by his mother in Ottawa, Canada, before moving to California to live with his father as a teenager. He followed in his father’s footsteps and the two shared the screen on many occasions, including as the elder Perry appearing in Matthew’s hit series Friends In 1998.

Matthew’s parents also stood by his side throughout his life long battle with addiction. When he was hospitalized in 2018 after his colon ruptured 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 Diane Sawyer At ABC News in October 2022. “I thought, ‘Wow, I must be really sick for this to happen.’ ”

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