Jennifer Aniston, Utterly Heartbroken, Reaches Out to Courteney Cox
In the wake of his unexpected passing, sources reveal that Matthew Perry's colleagues from "Friends" are grappling with a profound sense of loss, finding solace in their mutual support for one another.
The untimely passing of Matthew Perry, a beloved figure at the tender age of 54, left millions of fans worldwide in mourning, and his fellow ‘Friends’ cast members grappling for the right words to express their sorrow.
Known for his iconic portrayal of the affable Chandler Bing in the 1994 comedy sensation, alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt Le Blanc, and David Schwimmer, Perry was tragically reported to have met his end in a hot tub accident at his residence in Los Angeles.
His battle with a prolonged struggle against alcohol and substance abuse, which intensified during his time on the show, was documented in his recent memoir, ‘Friends, Lovers And The Big Terrible Thing’, published just a year prior. In it, he candidly confessed to indulging in his first drink at the tender age of 14. At the height of his substance dependency, he found himself ingesting a staggering 55 potent painkiller tablets daily, stemming from a jet-ski mishap.
View this post on Instagram
The severity of his struggles, leading him to seek rehabilitation on 15 occasions and attend 6,000 AA meetings, resulted in a ruptured colon at the age of 49. Doctors cautioned him that he had a mere two percent chance of survival.
While the LA coroner did not immediately disclose the cause of death, those closest to Matthew affirm that he was sober and clean prior to his passing.
Celebrity acquaintances paid tribute to the tormented star, including former girlfriend Gwyneth Paltrow, who expressed, “I hope Matthew is at peace at long last”, and Selma Blair, who shared, “All of us loved Matthew Perry, and I did especially. Every day”.
His co-stars from Friends have also issued a heartfelt collective statement, expressing the depth of their sorrow. They conveyed, “We are all profoundly saddened by the passing of Matthew. We were more than just colleagues; we were a close-knit family.
“There are no words adequate to express our feelings, but for now, we will take a moment to mourn and come to terms with this unimaginable loss. In due course, we will share more, when we are ready. Currently, our thoughts and affection are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who held him dear across the globe.”
Furthermore, a source close to the cast has disclosed to Closer that his five co-stars are grappling with feelings of remorse.
The source reveals, “Jen promptly visited Courteney’s residence upon hearing the news, and they’ve scarcely parted ways since, grappling with their emotions together.
In addition to their sorrow, they share a profound sense of remorse – expressing to friends how they yearn to have been more supportive of Matty. Following the reunion show in 2021, they had all agreed to arrange an intimate dinner for just the six of them. However, despite good intentions, it never materialised, and this weighs heavily not only on Jen and Courteney, but also on Matt, Lisa, and David.”
The source goes on to say, “They’ve been in constant communication, and while they understand that nothing could have changed Matt’s fate, they simply wish they could have offered more support. The fact that none of them kept regular contact with him has been weighing on their minds.”
In his memoir, Matthew recounted an encounter with Jennifer, 54, during the filming of Friends. She candidly addressed his alcohol consumption, stating, “I know you’re drinking. We can smell it.” He described this moment as both unusual and affectionate, remarking that the use of “we” struck him profoundly.
Our insider shares, “Jennifer, in particular, has been grappling with a deep emotional struggle, despite Courteney and the others attempting to provide solace.”
“At the reunion, they all witnessed Matt’s evident struggle. At the time, Jennifer and Courteney had discussed reaching out to him more, but busy schedules hindered their intentions. Now, they are left with the painful realization that it’s too late.”
“Many have reassured them that there was nothing more they could have done. After all, he had close friends and a strong family support system. They’ve reminded them that one cannot be held responsible for battling everyone’s inner demons.”
The source continues, “Currently, both of them are contending with a considerable amount of pain. They’re seeking therapy and drawing close to one another during this profoundly sombre period.”
“All five of his fellow cast members are planning a tribute for Matthew. They’ve unanimously agreed to attend the funeral as a united family. At this moment, they simply need to rely on one another for support and treasure the cherished memories they shared.”
