As I delve into the fascinating intertwining of these iconic Friends stars, it feels like stepping back into Central Perk itself! It’s heartwarming to see how their camaraderie transcended the screen and continued off it for years. From attending events together, guest-starring on each other’s shows, to reuniting on late-night talk shows, they sure know how to keep us Friends fans entertained!
Friends premiered 30 years ago.
The number seems unbelievably high yet insignificant, given the profound impact Matthew Perry’s unexpected passing on October 28, 2023, had on countless individuals, as though they were mourning the loss of someone who was still deeply involved in their lives.
As a die-hard Chandler Bing admirer, my heart is heavy with anguish as I ponder if the latest tidbit of news could possibly be any more heartrending.
Although countless individuals felt a sense of familiarity with Perry, often due to his Emmy-nominated performance on Friends or other roles throughout his career, there were relatively few who truly knew him. Fewer still had the chance to observe his undeniable talent firsthand and witness his battles through the challenging periods that even Perry was taken aback by having endured.
For a decade, it was Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer who spent nearly every day with Perry, sharing laughter, affection, and unavoidably expressing concern for him due to their close bond.
And yet, as Kudrow noted in the foreword to Perry’s 2022 book Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir, she didn’t know until reading the full story in those very pages just how harrowing his experience really was.
In my writings, I expressed that he defied insurmountable challenges, yet the extent of his close calls was something I hadn’t fully grasped. It’s a relief to see you, Matty, as I’m grateful for your continued presence.
Perry acknowledged that his “Friends” co-stars were always there for him when he needed them, a fact that, apart from his unique performance in the winning cast, was quite frequent.
As a lifestyle expert, I would say, “In my interview with ABC News’ Diane Sawyer, one year before my unfortunate passing due to ketamine overdose, I expressed that those around me were incredibly empathetic and patient. They reminded me of a group of penguins in the wild. When one is ill or injured, its fellow penguins gather around it, supporting it until it can walk again on its own. In essence, my team did just that for me.
As additional personal recollections were exchanged during the days, weeks, and months afterward, it was only natural that the remaining five Friends opted to make a joint declaration initially – serving both as a means of honoring Perry’s memory and acknowledging their lasting bond as an established group.
In a statement to TopMob News on October 30, 2023, Aniston, Cox, Kudrow, LeBlanc, and Schwimmer expressed their profound sadness over the passing of Matthew. They were not just co-stars; they were family. At this moment, words seem inadequate as we grapple with this unbearable loss. For now, we choose to mourn and find solace in our shared memories.
Later on, we’ll have more to share. At present, our thoughts and affection are extended to Matty’s family, his friends, and all those worldwide who cherished him. We hold them close in our hearts.
In my own words, reflecting on the raw, emotional yet comical account penned by Perry, I can’t forget the unforgettable moment when Jennifer Aniston dropped by my dressing room – a moment that was as heart-wrenching as it was side-splittingly funny. She let me know, in no uncertain terms, that she’d caught on to my little secret: I’d been sneaking some drinks.
I could catch a whiff of it, in a peculiar yet endearing manner, and the use of ‘we’ struck me forcefully, as if I had been hit with a sledgehammer,” I reminisced.
Previously, Perry had admired Aniston, particularly after she began dating Brad Pitt (“from the moment she started dating Brad Pitt, I was smitten”). In her writing, she expressed that it was particularly heartbreaking to hear such words coming from Aniston herself.
On one instance, he had a sober companion to help him stay sober at work, he explained, but on another occasion, when he arrived at the set unaware that he was slurring his lines due to a combination of alcohol and some medication leftover from the previous night, everyone associated with the show confronted him.
They enquired about his future actions and he pledged to resolve the issue. However, instead, he chose to star in the film “Serving Sara” and his drug problems worsened significantly, leading him to seek treatment in early 2001. During his hospitalization that March, he jokingly remarked as he watched Julia Roberts win her Best Actress Oscar for “Erin Brockovich,” “I’ll take you back,” causing laughter among the audience.
Meanwhile, as Perry was undergoing treatment in a rehabilitation facility, the episode featuring Monica and Chandler’s wedding aired on May 17, 2001.
The following year, the main six actors collectively negotiated their groundbreaking $1 million per episode contract. Perry mentioned that the ninth season of Friends, which aired from September 2002 to May 2003, happened to be his only completely sober season. (It’s worth noting that this was also the season he received his sole Emmy nomination.)
In addition, he openly acknowledged that he didn’t share the same emotional response as everyone else when the series finale was wrapped in 2004. It’s unclear whether this was a result of the opioid detox he was undergoing at the time or if it was because he simply lacked feelings deeply.
Among them, Jennifer Aniston, who had been acquainted with him for quite some time, even prior to their casting on “Friends”, was the one who stood by Perry the most following the conclusion of the series.
He mentioned to Sawyer, “She was the one who initiated contact the most.” To put it simply, he expressed his appreciation towards her for doing so.
Absolutely, it seemed more natural to imagine the characters Monica, Chandler, Ross, Rachel, Phoebe, and Joey as a close-knit group not just on screen, but behind the scenes too. However, TV shows typically don’t reflect this off-camera connection, regardless of how strong the onscreen camaraderie might be. But take heart, they did have some incredible moments together, despite the fact that LeBlanc, Perry, and Schwimmer didn’t share a daily salad habit.
During the filming of the 2021 Friends reunion, Schwimmer reminisced about his first impression from 1994 when he felt that they had the most exceptional cast he’d ever worked with. “And as time passed over the 10 years,” he added, “we became even closer as a family, one of the reasons being that our show’s early success was an experience none of us had encountered or shared with others except the other five actors.
After the end of “Friends”, they maintained their social gatherings, with a group selfie of the six of them in 2019 becoming nearly viral on Instagram – it was just shy of causing a widespread internet breakdown – fifteen years following Monica and Chandler’s relocation to the suburbs.
Additionally, they frequently appeared in each other’s works: Cox made guest appearances on Perry’s sitcom “Go On”, both he and Aniston visited Cox’s show “Cougar Town”, Schwimmer portrayed an alternate version of himself on LeBlanc’s “Episodes”, and all four, Cox, LeBlanc, Perry, and Schwimmer, made appearances on “Web Therapy” together with Kudrow.
In 2013, Cox expressed to Conan O’Brien that Perry was incredibly kind, and he added, “Working with him on ‘Friends’ for a decade, he effectively shaped my character traits.
When Perry signed up for Instagram in 2020, I couldn’t help but echo a nod back to Monica and Rachel’s infamous lightning round defeat against Joey and Chanandler Bong. In my post, I jokingly expressed, “I can’t believe it took Matty this long to join Instagram, given his knack for… let me see… oh no, I’ve blanked! A brain-busting TRANSPONSTER, that’s it!
Not to mention, you can’t fake the emotion that radiated from the 2021 Friends reunion.
Over the past couple of days, I’ve been absolutely thrilled to be part of something fans have eagerly anticipated for years, as I shared with ET. The experience has been incredibly nostalgic… Stepping onto the familiar set, reconnecting with the crew, and catching up with the old gang – it’s a warm, loving atmosphere that I cherish deeply.
LeBlanc inquired, “Those more seasoned gentlemen?” To which Perry responded, “Indeed, the elder men. They are senior to my age. I, however, am the youngest among us.
During a conversation with Rob Lowe on his podcast “Literally!”, Aniston mentioned that there was a time when everyone seemed to be affected deeply. She added, “I’m not sure if David felt the same, but I believe we didn’t cause him any serious harm.
However, despite his tough exterior, Mr. LeBlanc found himself tearing up as well, she noted. (Perry recalled that even Matt LeBlanc, known for his stoicism, was weeping during the final episode of Friends.)
In a conversation with People, LeBlanc remarked that it’s amusing how seamless our reunions feel, as if no time has elapsed since last we met. We simply carry on from where we left off.
Yet the trip down memory lane was also “brutal” for various reasons, Aniston told Lowe, explaining, “It’s nostalgic in a way that’s kind of also a little melancholy. ‘Cause a lot has changed and we have all gone down different roads, some easy and some not so easy for each of us.”
As they developed friendships, Perry hid the most serious aspects of his situation from others, not just for pride or due to denial, but also to prevent any negative impact on them.
In my own words, I penned down, “I was the penguin who got hurt, but my resolve never wavered to keep these amazing individuals and this extraordinary stage unblemished.” However, I cautioned, the clutches of addiction could yet prevail, as it once did when I fell asleep on that Central Perk couch, only for LeBlanc to gently rouse me before I missed my mark.
“Secrets kill you,” Perry reflected to Sawyer last year. “Secrets kill people like me.”
It wasn’t hidden that he faced difficulties among the Friends group. However, when they collaborated, Kudrow explained that he didn’t actively attempt to intervene or challenge him because his understanding of addiction was that his sobriety was beyond his control. Still, there were times when he questioned whether he should have done more, whether he should have taken some action.
She understood well that addiction could overpower an individual. So, she chose to concentrate on Matthew, the one who made her laugh heartily each day, and at least once a week, laugh so hard that she ended up crying and struggling to catch her breath.
In the opening credits of “Friends,” Perry was the source of everyone’s laughter near the fountain, as Kudrow reminisced, pointing out that it was him who boosted their spirits during that demanding overnight shoot, and consistently provided support again and again.
It seems as if Kudrow’s introduction carries a wistful feel to it now, but at the time she was writing about a life that was not yet completed. She was among many who wished deeply that Perry had overcome his difficulties and found lasting peace.
Despite numerous close calls with mortality throughout his 20s, 30s, and 40s, it seemed few were prepared to bid farewell when he reached the age of 54.
Reflecting on the impact of his published work, Perry expressed a desire to be predominantly recognized for his dedication towards assisting those battling addiction. Penning his memoir was one aspect of this mission.
He shared with TopMob News that the book, released in November 2023, has been warmly received. “I didn’t hold back on anything,” he said, “and I was truthful throughout. The main aim was to assist people, and I have already heard from many who have found help through it.
Additionally, he played a role in shedding some light on his character for those closest to him, before time ran out.
Keep reading to see more photos of the Friends stars reuniting over the years:
“Hi from the girls across the hall,” Aniston wrote on Instagram on Jan. 12, 2020.
In November 2019, the ladies from the TV show “Friends” gathered at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Patron of the Artists Awards in Beverly Hills. During this event, Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston presented Jennifer Aniston with one of two Artist Inspiration Awards.
Monica and Chandler reunited in November 2019!
Joey, Monica and Rachel reunited for a fun night in October 2019.
“Halfway there… #girlsnight #?” Kudrow wrote in June 2019, teasing fans about a possible reboot.
The Friends ladies get together for Cox’s 55th birthday dinner in June 2019.
In December 2018, Cox supported her friend at premiere event for her Netflix movie Dumplin‘.
Additionally, they were present at the Chanel dinner held in celebration of our magnificent oceans, which supported the NRDC Malibu, back in June 2018.
In June 2018, they both went to the American Film Institute’s 46th tribute ceremony honoring George Clooney with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2016, the two former onscreen roommates met again in London! LeBlanc visited Perry after his show, where Perry had made his playwriting debut with “The End of Longing.
In 2016, the stars of the popular TV show Friends – Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, and Jennifer Aniston – gathered for a special event on NBC in honor of director James Burrows. Unfortunately, Matthew Perry was unable to attend as he was performing in his play The End of Longing in London. However, he sent a video message to introduce his former co-stars.
Kaley Cuoco was thrilled to take a photo with her co-stars. She expressed this on Instagram by saying, “Wow! What a night! Can’t catch my breath! #friends meeting #bbt @bigbangtheory_cbs I think I just passed out and went to heaven.
The two reunited at the 2016 WGA Awards, appearing together onstage to present an award.
The two attended a screening of Just Before I Go, which Cox directed, in 2015.
In 2015, they went to the 12th annual awards ceremony hosted by Phoenix House, known as the Triumph For Teens Awards, which took place at Beverly Hills.
In 2014, Cox joined Kudrow at a premiere event for season two of the HBO series The Comeback.
Also in 2014, the ladies of Friends reunited on Jimmy Kimmel Live!…
…where Aniston and Kudrow competed against each other.
In 2014, Perry returned the favor and guest-starred on Cox’s show Cougar Town.
In 2013, Cox guest-starred on her Friends co-star’s show Go On.
2010 saw Jennifer Aniston making a special appearance in the premier episode of her “Friends” colleague’s series, titled “Cougar Town”.
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2024-10-28 10:20