Jennifer Aniston revealed in a recent Vanity Fair cover story that the Friends cast had already been grieving Matthew Perry well before his passing in October 2023 at age 54. Perry, known for playing Chandler Bing opposite Aniston’s Rachel Green on NBC’s iconic show, died from the acute effects of ketamine. His well-documented struggle with substance abuse shadowed much of his life and career, including during the height of the show’s worldwide popularity.
We did everything we could when we could,
Aniston shared about the efforts to support Perry through his long addiction battle during and after the run of Friends.
But it almost felt like we’d been mourning Matthew for a long time because his battle with that disease was a really hard one for him to fight. As hard as it was for all of us and for the fans, there’s a part of me that thinks this is better. I’m glad he’s out of that pain.
—Jennifer Aniston, Actress
Remembering Matthew Perry’s Impact and Love for Laughter
Following Matthew Perry’s death, Aniston honored her friend by sharing a touching text message he had sent earlier, which included a photo of the two laughing on the Friends set. Perry had written,
Making you laugh just made my day. It made my day.
This sentiment exemplifies his deep desire to bring joy to others, which deeply resonated with both his friends and fans.
In a heartfelt social media statement, Aniston expressed the overwhelming emotions of losing Perry:
Having to say goodbye to our Matty has been an insane wave of emotions that I’ve never experienced before,
she said.
He was such a part of our DNA. We were always the 6 of us. This was a chosen family that forever changed the course of who we were and what our path was going to be. For Matty, he KNEW he loved to make people laugh. As he said himself, if he didn’t hear the ‘laugh’ he thought he was going to die. His life literally depended on it. And boy did he succeed in doing just that. He made all of us laugh. And laugh hard.
—Jennifer Aniston, Actress
Signs of Progress and Final Conversations
Aniston further revealed in an interview with Variety that she had communicated with Perry on the day he died. She described him as happy and physically healthier than in recent times:
He was happy. He was healthy. He had quit smoking. He was getting in shape. He was happy — that’s all I know… He was not in pain. He wasn’t struggling. He was happy.
She continued to emphasize his determined efforts toward recovery, saying,
I want people to know he was really healthy, and getting healthy,
and added,
He was on a pursuit. He worked so hard. He really was dealt a tough one. I miss him dearly. We all do. Boy, he made us laugh really hard.
—Jennifer Aniston, Actress
The Legacy of Their Chosen Family
The bond between the Friends cast members has long been described as more than just professional; it was a deeply chosen family that shaped their lives and careers. Matthew Perry’s death highlights the harsh realities behind their shared success and the personal battles they endured away from the public eye. For Jennifer Aniston, speaking openly about her grief and Perry’s struggles sheds light on addiction’s impact and the enduring power of friendship.
As fans and colleagues continue to mourn Perry, Aniston’s reflections serve as a reminder of his joyful spirit and the complicated fight against addiction—a battle that often begins long before the tragic end. Her words offer hope that healing and happiness are possible, even through the darkest struggles.
