Jennifer Aniston has been known for her close friendship with the late actor Matthew Perry. Among the other cast of Friends, where the two worked together for a decade, the comedian revealed that Brad Pitt’s former wife was the one who often checked on him. In fact, on the day before his death, the two were exchanging texts, and Perry was in a good place before the shocking news happened.
Jennifer Aniston Reveals Texting with Matthew Perry the Morning Before His Death
Jennifer Aniston talked about Matthew Perry’s death in her first interview following his demise on October 28.
“He was happy,” she told Variety.
At the time, Perry had already quit smoking, making him much healthier than before, as he was also getting in shape. “He was happy — that’s all I know,” she continued, as her The Morning Show co-star Reese Witherspoon held her hand and wiped her tears.
The 54-year-old said they were texting that morning and even called Perry “funny.” He was neither in pain nor struggling and was even healthy.
Jennifer Aniston has said that Matthew Perry was ‘happy and healthy’ at the time of his death. pic.twitter.com/MunzbnIf6Q
— Pubity (@pubity) December 12, 2023
The Fools Rush In star was “on a pursuit” and worked so hard after dealing with a “tough one.” With all their times together, Aniston admitted she missed him dearly, not just her but everyone, as he always made them laugh really hard.
That said, she hoped Perry would be remembered “as he loved to be remembered”—a man who lived well and helped others.
Matthew Perry Died at 54
Matthew Perry was found dead at his home in Los Angeles on October 28. He was 54.
He was seen unresponsive in a hot tub and appeared to have drowned, though others said the first responders were called due to a cardiac arrest. Anyhow, there was no suspected foul play, and no drugs were found at the scene. TMZ also noted that his demise wasn’t a result of a fentanyl or methamphetamine overdose.
Perry was open about his alcohol and prescription medication addiction. In fact, in his memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, he revealed he spent $9 million trying to get sober.
Things even turned out for the worse when he was given only a two percent chance of survival following his colon rupture due to opioid abuse. Though he recovered, he was in a coma for two weeks and used a colostomy bag for nine months.
Friends Star Paid Tribute to Matthew Perry
A couple of days after Matthew Perry’s death, his Friends co-stars, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer, released a joint statement to express their collective grief.
“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family,” they said. “There is so much to say, but right now, we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.”
After a few days, they issued their respective statements, with Aniston expressing his love for Perry while being assured that he was “at peace and out of any pain.”
Schwimmer referenced the 17 Again actor’s iconic line, asking, “Could there be any more clouds?” while wearing his white suit, his hands in his pockets, and looking around.
Kudrow thanked him for everything she had learned about grace and love through knowing him, and Courtney wrote that she was grateful for every moment she had with him. “I miss you every day,” she added.
Lastly, LeBlanc said it was an honor to work with Perry, adding he would always smile whenever he thought of him and would never forget him. He even joked that he could keep the 20 bucks he owed him.
Matthew Perry fought a good fight when he was alive, proving anyone could escape their darkness. Despite everything he went through, he tried his best to improve himself and help others as he knew he could, and he was happy in the last moments of his life.
