Connect with us

Published

on

Matthew Perry’s Friends co-stars say they are “utterly devastated” by his sudden death.

Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow and David Schwimmer starred alongside Perry, 54, who played Chandler Bing, in the hit TV show from 1994 to 2004.

In a joint statement, the five said: “We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. 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.

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

Friends: The Reunion sees the cast back together on screen for the first time in 17 years. Pic: Sky/ Warner Media/ HBO
Image:
Friends: The Reunion saw the cast back together on screen for the first time in 17 years. Pic: Sky/ Warner Media/ HBO

It comes as the Los Angeles Fire Department released further details about Perry’s death of an apparent drowning in a hot tub.

Captain Erik Scott said a bystander had brought the actor’s head above the water and got him to the edge of the hot tub before firefighters arrived at his US home on Saturday.

Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department responded to a radio call of an incident just after 4pm local time.

On Monday, Perry’s initial post-mortem results were inconclusive and the cause of death is yet to be determined as further investigations, including a toxicology report, has been requested.

Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer in Friends. Pic: Everett/Shutterstock
Image:
Pic: Everett/Shutterstock

A report released by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said that although an official conclusion is not likely to be released for several weeks, Perry’s body is ready to be released to his family, Sky News’ US partner network NBC News said.

The actor was open about his long-term addiction to drugs and alcohol, for which he was in and out of treatment while filming Friends.

The co-creators of Friends, Marta Kauffman and David Crane, and its executive producer Kevin Bright, paid tribute earlier, saying they were “shocked and deeply, deeply saddened” by Perry’s death.

They said in a joint statement: “He was a brilliant talent. It’s a cliche to say that an actor makes a role their own, but in Matthew’s case, there are no truer words.

Matthew Perry with Friends co-stars Lisa Kudrow, Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston

“From the day we first heard him embody the role of Chandler Bing, there was no one else for us.”

All six key cast members were seen on screen together for the first time since the final episode for Friends: The Reunion in May 2021.

Read more:
The one who made everyone laugh
Tributes pour in for Friends star after his death aged 54

Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts

In New York, adoring yet devastated fans were in tears as they paid tribute to the star outside a building that featured in the US show.

The West Village building was decorated with flowers and messages, with one fan writing “could you be anymore missed?,” a nod to one of Chandler’s sarcastic one-liners.

Matthew Perry memorial
Makeshift memorial for actor Matthew Perry in New York

Streaming platform HBO Max has put an “In memory of Matthew Perry 1969-2023” card before the opening credits of every Friends episode.

Every episode of the show is available on the platform, and the tribute appears for roughly five seconds.

Continue Reading

US

‘Active shooter incident’ in New York City – as police officer among at least two people shot

Published

on

By

'Active shooter incident' in New York City - as police officer among at least two people shot

A police officer is among at least two people who have been shot in an “active shooter incident” in New York City, officials say.

The incident happened at 345 Park Avenue, a skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan.

It houses both the headquarters of the investment firm Blackstone and the National Football League (NFL).

The building also has a Bank of America branch and has offices belonging to accounting firm KPMG.

Two senior officials told Sky’s US partner NBC News that at least one police officer had been shot along with at least one civilian.

Their conditions are unknown.

The New York Police Department has urged people to avoid the vicinity of East 52 Street between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue.

It added in a post on X: “Expect emergency vehicles & delays in the surrounding area.”

New York City Mayor Eric Adams wrote on X: “New Yorkers: there is an active shooter investigation taking place in Midtown right now. Please take proper safety precautions if you are in vicinity and do not go outside if you are near Park Avenue and East 51st Street.”

Officers close to the scene have been stopping cars and looking inside as they investigate the case, NBC New York reported.

Video from Lexington Avenue shows a police officer stop a yellow taxi SUV, having the windows be lowered and looking in the driver’s front passenger seat and back seats with flashlight.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the latest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Continue Reading

US

US and EU agree trade deal, says Donald Trump

Published

on

By

US and EU agree trade deal, says Donald Trump

The United States and European Union have agreed a trade deal, says Donald Trump.

The announcement was made as the US president met European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen at one of his golf resorts in Scotland.

Speaking after talks in Turnberry, Mr Trump said the EU deal was the “biggest deal ever made” and it will be “great for cars”.

The US will impose 15% tariffs on EU goods into America, after Mr Trump had threatened a 30% levy.

He said there will be an EU investment of $600bn in the US, the bloc will buy $750bn in US energy and will also purchase US military equipment.

Mr Trump had earlier said the main sticking point was “fairness”, citing barriers to US exports of cars and agriculture.

He went into the talks demanding fairer trade with the 27-member EU and threatening steep tariffs to achieve that, while insisting the US will not go below 15% import taxes.

More from World

For months, Mr Trump has threatened most of the world with large tariffs in the hope of shrinking major US trade deficits with many key trading partners, including the EU.

Ms von der Leyen said the agreement would include 15% tariffs across the board, saying it would help rebalance trade between the two large trading partners.

In case there was no deal and the US had imposed 30% tariffs from 1 August, the EU has prepared counter-tariffs on €93bn (£81bn) of US goods.

Ahead of their meeting on Sunday, Ms von der Leyen described Mr Trump as a “tough negotiator and dealmaker”.

Follow the World
Follow the World

Listen to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim every Wednesday

Tap to follow

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the latest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Continue Reading

US

Michigan: 11 people stabbed in US supermarket – with six in critical condition

Published

on

By

Michigan: 11 people stabbed in US supermarket - with six in critical condition

At least 11 people have been stabbed at a Walmart supermarket in Michigan, with six in a critical condition.

Officials say a suspect is in custody – and at this stage, it is believed the attack was a “random act” that involved a folding-style knife near the checkout area.

Sheriff Michael Shea told reporters: “Eleven is 11 too many, but thank God it wasn’t more.”

Pic: AP
Image:
Pic: AP

The suspect, who is from Michigan, is not known to police – and was captured within three minutes thanks to “citizen involvement”.

The attack unfolded in Traverse City – and Tiffany DeFell, who was in the car park at the time, described scenes of chaos.

“It was really scary. Me and my sister were just freaking out,” she said. “This is something you see out of the movies.”

Beyond the six people in a critical condition, it is believed the remaining five were seriously hurt. All 11 are still being treated in hospital.

More from US

Pic: AP
Image:
Pic: AP

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said: “Our thoughts are with the victims and the community reeling from this brutal act of violence.”

A Walmart spokesperson added that the retailer is working closely with law enforcement.

“Violence like this is unacceptable. Our thoughts are with those who were injured and we’re thankful for the swift action of first responders,” a statement said.

Pic: AP
Image:
Pic: AP

At this stage, the ages of the victims is unclear – but it is not thought any of the victims were Walmart employees.

Traverse City is about 255 miles northwest of Detroit.

Continue Reading

Trending