'Friends' co-stars break silence on Matthew Perry's death

"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. For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world," they wrote.

Earlier during promotions for his memoir, "Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing," Perry credited his "Friends" co-stars for supporting him during his struggles with substance abuse.

"They were understanding, and they were patient. It's like penguins. In nature, when one is sick or very injured, the other penguins surround it and prop it up and walk around until that penguin can walk on its own. And that's kind of what the cast did for me," Perry wrote.

In a career that spanned nearly two decades, Perry appeared in various TV shows and movies. But, he's best known for playing Chandler Bing in NBC's  "Friends." The series ran for a decade and earned Perry an Emmy nomination in 2002.

Earlier, "Friends" co-creators Martha Kauffman and David Crane, and executive producer Kevin Bright issued a joint statement following Perry's demise.

"We are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by our beloved friend Matthew’s passing. 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 wrote.

They added, "It’s a cliché 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. 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,” the makers said in their statement.

Perry's family also issued a statement after his passing. "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," the statement read.