It has been one year since Matthew Perry sadly lost his life, aged 54. The sudden death of the actor, who was so beloved for his portrayal of Chandler Bing in Friends, rocked everyone – and saw an output of love for the show and from his cast who remembered their friend and colleague with such reverence. The sad anniversary saw some of his former Friends cast pay emotional tributes to Matthew Perry one year on from his untimely death.
Courteney Cox
Courteney Cox, who starred closely alongside Matthew Perry as the two actors developed their characters Chandler and Monica falling in love accidentally and eventually going on to get married, shared “Missing you today and always”.
Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston marked the anniversary also, with a carousel of behind the scenes pictures of the cast during the Friends era, as well as stills from the show.
Both Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox tagged the Matthew Perry Foundation in their one year tributes to their late pal. The Matthew Perry Foundation was set up posthumously and seeks to help others struggling with addiction. Matthew Perry passed away from acute effects of ketamine, as per his toxicology report. The foundation has a quote from Matthew Perry in its ethos, saying “When I die, I don’t want Friends to be the first thing that’s mentioned. I want helping others to be the first thing that’s mentioned. And I’m going to live the rest of my life proving that.”
Previous tributes from the Friends cast to Matthew Perry prior to the anniversary were equally moving. Matt LeBlanc wrote at the time “Matthew. It is with a heavy heart I say goodbye. The times we had together are honestly among the favourite times of my life. It was an honour to share the stage with you and to call you my friend. I will always smile when I think of you and I’ll never forget you. Never. Spread your wings and fly brother you’re finally free. Much love. And I guess you’re keeping the 20 bucks you owe me.”
Lisa Kudrow said last year “Shot the pilot, Friends Like Us, got picked up then immediately, we were at the NBC Upfronts. Then… You suggested we play poker AND made it so much fun while we initially bonded. Thank you for that. Thank you for making me laugh so hard at something you said, that my muscles ached, and tears poured down my face EVERY DAY. Thank you for your open heart in a six way relationship that required compromise.
“And a lot of “talking.” Thank you for showing up at work when you weren’t well and then, being completely brilliant. Thank you for the best 10 years a person gets to have. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for all I learned about GRACE and LOVE through knowing you. Thank you for the time I got to have with you, Matthew.”
David Schwimmer said “Matty. Thank you for ten incredible years of laughter and creativity. I will never forget your impeccable comic timing and delivery. You could take a straight line of dialogue and bend it to your will, resulting in something so entirely original and unexpectedly funny it still astonishes. And you had heart. Which you were generous with, and shared with us, so we could create a family out of six strangers.”
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