Matthew Perry, who sadly passed away on October 28th last year at 54 years old, played a starring role in Friends for the entire ten seasons, from 1994 to 2004.
With the 20th anniversary of the show's ending coming up on May 6th, fans fondly recall Perry's outstanding performances and the impact he had on the series.
Matthew Perry passed away on October 28th, 2023.
After Perry's tragic death, there was an overwhelming display of sorrow and heartfelt tributes that celebrated his unforgettable contributions to Friends.
The TV network NBC, which broadcasted the show, honored the gifted actor and acknowledged the immense happiness he brought to countless viewers around the world with his exceptional comedic skills and clever humor.
“He brought so much joy to hundreds of millions of people around the world with his pitch-perfect comedic timing and wry wit. His legacy will live on through countless generations.”
Late actor Matthew Perry revealed the reason why he couldn't watch Friends before his demise
Throughout the years, Perry openly shared his struggles with addiction.
In 2022, he released his memoir titled Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, in which he delved into his personal battles.
During the promotional interviews for the book, he revealed why he couldn't watch old episodes of Friends.
Rewatching the show makes him recall past struggles with substance abuse.
Perry candidly revealed that watching the show served as a painful reminder of his past struggles with substance abuse.
He could easily identify the seasons based on his appearance, associating them with periods of heavy drinking and drug use.
"I could tell season by season by how I looked. And I don’t think anybody else can, but I certainly could,” Perry admitted.
While others might not notice, Perry himself recognized the consequences his addiction had taken on him during those times.
However, Perry also expressed a desire to reconnect with Friends.
He acknowledged the incredible ride the show had been and the profound impact it had on different generations.
He recognized its significance as a cultural phenomenon and the positive experiences he had while working with a talented cast.
“It’s become this important, significant thing. And you know, I would watch that again - it was really funny and all the people were nice and I’ve been too worried about this. I want to watch Friends too,” Perry shared in an interview.
After Matthew Perry's death, his fellow Friends cast members, including Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer, paid a touching tribute to him.
They emphasized the strong connection they had as a cast, describing themselves as a family. They expressed their profound grief over the loss of their beloved friend.
"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," they wrote.
