‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry dead at 54 after apparent drowning. Video / NZ Herald
The cast of Friends have reunited to attend Matthew Perry’s private funeral in Los Angeles.
The actor was found dead in his home last Sunday (NZ time) in a suspected drowning and now former co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, and Courteney Cox got together with the sitcom star’s family at a memorial service, which was held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, according to TMZ.
All five of Matthew’s co-stars from the hit show are said to have been in attendance and dressed in black for the occasion, which was held just across the road from the Warner Bros. Studio lot where they spent 10 years filming the now-classic NBC sitcom.
In pictures obtained by the outlet, around 20 mourners could be seen hugging as they gathered around the burial plot.
News of the funeral comes just days after the cast of Friends released a statement regarding their “unfathomable loss” and promised fans they would say more when they felt able to.
The statement read: “We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just castmates. We are a family. 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.
Matthew Perry arrives at the premiere of The Invention of Lying in Los Angeles in 2009. Photo / AP
“For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”
Earlier in the week, Perry’s sisters, mother, Suzanne Perry, and her husband, Morrison, were spotted at the memorial park, making arrangements for the ceremony.
The memorial park serves as a final resting place for many past celebrities, such as Michael Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor, Carrie Fisher and Paul Walker.
The cemetery is opposite the Warner Bros. studios, where Perry spent 10 years playing his beloved character Chandler Bing.
The 17 Again star had battled with addiction throughout his life but it was thought that he had been on the road to recovery following extensive rehab and on the day of his funeral, the website for The Matthew Perry Foundation went live.
A statement said: “The Matthew Perry Foundation is the realisation of Matthew’s enduring commitment to helping others struggling with the disease of addiction. It will honour his legacy and be guided by his own words and experiences and driven by his passion for making a difference in as many lives as possible.”
Matthew died in a suspected drowning, and police said there were no signs of foul play at the scene of his death, but the LAPD’s Robbery Homicide Division has taken over the investigation into his shock passing.
TMZ reported on Tuesday: “It may come as a surprise to some because foul play is not suspected at this point, but cops say it’s just standard procedure for (its Robbery Homicide Division to investigate) high-profile cases.”
David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, Matthew Perry, Courteney Cox Arquette, Jennifer Aniston and Matt LeBlanc pose after the show won outstanding comedy series at the 54th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Photo / AP
He was reportedly found in a spa pool on Saturday, with sources adding that there were no drugs found at the scene. It has also been revealed that no foul play was involved.
Sources say that first responders had received a call to the property for a person suffering cardiac arrest.
