'Friends' Director Says Cast Is 'Destroyed' After Matthew Perry's Death

The director of "Friends" is speaking out days after learning of Matthew Perry's death, stating the cast is "destroyed".

Jim Burrows is known for his work on many sitcoms, including "Friends". After learning of Matthew Perry's unexpected death, he is breaking his silence, saying the cast "lost a brother".

The director recently appeared on "Today", where he opened up about the tragic death of Matthew Perry.

"He was incredibly inventive," Burrows said of the late actor. "He was inventive with how he did a line."

"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," he added.

The 82-year-old then reminisced over the first time he met Perry, and his table reads for "Friends". "Wow. The reading around the table. Matthew had a certain way of turning a line," Burrows shared.

"His facial expressions were amazing and Matthew could always cut to his face," he continued sharing. "He was always aware that even though he wasn’t speaking, he was on camera."

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The "Friends" director also stated that he had reached out to the female cast members, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, and Lisa Kudrow, on the day of Perry's death.

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

Burrows's statement comes just after co-creators, Marta Kauffman and David Crane, opened up about Perry’s death.

“My first impulse was to text him, honestly. And then deep sadness,” the TV writer said, adding, “It’s hard to grasp. You know, one minute he’s here and happy, and then poof. And doing good in the world. Really doing good in the world.”

Read More: ‘Friends’ Creator Reveals Heart-Wrenching First Impulse Upon Hearing Of Matthew Perry’s Death

As we reported, police responded to a 911 call over the weekend to assist with a possible ‘water rescue’ at Matthew Perry’s Pacific Palisades home. When the first responders arrived, they reportedly found the 54-year-old “Friends” actor in his hot tub, unresponsive.

He is believed to have drowned, but an autopsy and toxicology reports will be able to answer more questions about his true cause of death. Prescription anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications were reportedly found in Matthew Perry‘s home following his tragic death, although sources say that no illegal narcotics were discovered at the scene.

Related: John Stamos Shares Rare ‘Friends’ Moment With Matthew Perry

After the main cast of "Friends" learned of Perry’s tragic passing, the five co-stars released a joint statement.

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

The message is then signed by Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer.