In a candid interview with Vanity Fair, Jennifer Aniston opened up about the heartbreaking loss of her friend and former Friends co-star Matthew Perry, who died in 2023 at the age of 54.
“We did everything we could when we could,” Aniston said of Perry, who battled alcohol and drug addiction for much of his life. “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.”
Perry’s toxicology report revealed his death was caused by the acute effects of ketamine, drowning, coronary artery disease, and buprenorphine — a medication used to treat opioid addiction. He was found in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home on October 28, 2023. His Friends castmates released a joint statement at the time, saying they were “utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew.”
Authorities later arrested several people in connection with his death, including those who helped him obtain ketamine, a doctor who treated him, and his live-in assistant.
Last year, during a Variety’s Actors on Actors conversation with Quinta Brunson, Aniston became emotional when asked about revisiting Friends after Perry’s passing. “Oh, God, don’t make me cry,” she said before Brunson could finish the question. She composed herself, adding, “It’s happy tears.” Aniston also shared that she remains close with all her Friends co-stars, calling them “family forever.”
Following Perry’s death, Aniston posted a touching tribute on Instagram: “Matty, I love you so much and I know you are now completely at peace and out of any pain. I talk to you every day… sometimes I can almost hear you saying ‘could you BE any crazier?’ Rest little brother. You always made my day.”
Courteney Cox, who played Perry’s on-screen wife Monica, has also said she still feels his presence because of the deep bond they shared over years of working together.
