Funeral for Matthew Perry Takes Place Near Warner Bros’ Friends Studios in Heartfelt Tribute

 

The funeral for Matthew Perry took place at the Forest Lawn Church of the Hills in Los Angeles, Southern California, which is situated opposite the Warner Bros Studios where the iconic series “Friends” was filmed over its 10 seasons. Perry now rests among a distinguished roster of Hollywood luminaries interred at this cemetery, including Bette Davis, Stan Laurel, Carrie Fisher, and Marilyn Monroe. While many of the exterior and cityscape scenes were shot in New York, the majority of the show was produced at the renowned California studios.

Reportedly, Perry’s co-stars – Lisa Kudrow (60), Courteney Cox (59), David Schwimmer (57), and Jennifer Aniston (54) – arrived together, all dressed in black, to pay their respects in this solemn gathering of friends bidding farewell. The private ceremony was attended by close friends and family.

Photographs captured the solemn procession of men in black suits carrying a dark wooden casket into the church, as mourners sought solace and shared embraces beneath the warm Southern Californian sun. It remains unclear whether the choice of location was stipulated by Perry in his will.

According to the Mail’s report, the service concluded with a rendition of Peter Gabriel’s song ‘Don’t Give Up’, which includes the poignant lines: “No fight left or so it seems, I am a man whose dreams have all deserted, I’ve changed my face, I’ve changed my name, But no one wants you when you lose.” These lyrics could be interpreted as a touching reflection on Perry’s struggle to overcome his drug and alcohol addiction, a topic he openly discussed in his memoir, ‘Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing’.

Perry’s tearful mother, Suzanne Morrison, aged 84, and stepfather, Keith, a 76-year-old Dateline journalist, were both present at the private event, as was his father, John Perry, aged 82. In a statement, the family expressed their deep sorrow at the tragic loss of their beloved son and brother, stating, “Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend. You all meant so much to him, and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.”

Matthew’s parents were said to have stood by his side throughout his battle with drugs and alcohol. When he was admitted to the hospital in 2018 due to an opioid-induced colon injury, they hurried to the hospital to support their son. Matthew shared this with Diane Sawyer in an ABC news segment in October 2022, expressing, “I was like, ‘Whoa, I must be really sick for this to be happening.”

This week, Perry’s co-stars from Friends, a show that spanned 10 seasons, also issued a joint statement expressing their heartbreak over the news. They stated, “We are all profoundly saddened by the passing of Matthew. We were more than just colleagues, we were a family. There is so much to say, but for now, we’re going to take a moment to mourn and come to terms with this unimaginable loss.”

In due course, we will provide further information, as and when we are able,” they added. “At present, our thoughts and affection are with Matty’s family, his friends, and all those who held him dear across the globe.”

“The television series ‘Friends’ made its debut in 1994 and spanned a successful run of 10 seasons. The concluding episode aired in 2004, setting records with over 50 million viewers. The cast came together for a reunion in 2021, where Perry became emotional while reminiscing about their time filming the show.

His on-screen partner, Cox, reflected, “It was an extraordinary period. We became inseparable.” Perry was visibly moved and confessed, “Yes, I’m going to shed some tears now.”

In his autobiography, Perry disclosed that he found it challenging to watch the show as it brought back memories of the difficult times he experienced. “I refrained from watching the show, and still do, because I could see the pattern – drinking, opiates, drinking, cocaine,” he later added. “I could gauge the seasons by how I looked. That’s why I avoid watching it, because that’s all I see.”

He also chronicled his triumph over addiction once more in 2021 and how he embraced a healthier lifestyle. Earlier this week, the actor intriguingly shared images of himself in his hot tub on Instagram, captioning it, ‘Oh, the warm water swirling around makes you feel good? I’m Mattman.’

Law enforcement confirmed that 911 received a call at around 4:00 p.m. PST regarding a cardiac arrest. Upon arrival, responders initiated water rescue procedures as it appeared Matthew had experienced a near-drowning. At the time, it was reported that no illegal substances were found at the scene, and authorities did not suspect any foul play.