Jennifer Aniston has opened up about the heartbreaking loss of her F.R.I.E.N.D.S co-star Matthew Perry, speaking candidly about his long battle with addiction and how it impacted those who loved him.
Perry, best known for his role as the witty and sarcastic Chandler Bing, passed away in October 2023, leaving fans and friends devastated.
In an emotional reflection, Aniston revealed that she and the rest of the F.R.I.E.N.D.S. cast had been deeply aware of Perry’s struggles for years. “We did everything we could when we could,” she said.
Aniston admitted that Perry’s fight was not just hard for him, but also for those closest to him and for the millions of fans who had grown up watching him on screen. “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,” she shared. “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 had been open in later years about his struggles with substance abuse, documenting his experiences in his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. In it, he revealed the depth of his addiction and how it affected his health, career, and personal relationships.
His openness drew widespread admiration, as many praised him for using his platform to bring awareness to addiction and recovery.
For the F.R.I.E.N.D.S fans, Perry’s passing marked the end of an era. Till date, fans continue to share their favorite Chandler Bing moments online, remembering the humor, warmth, and impeccable comedic timing that Perry brought to the role.
Perry’s memory lives on not only through Friends reruns but also through the lives he touched. While the pain of his loss is still felt, Jennifer Aniston’s words serve as a reminder that he is finally free from the struggles that shadowed much of his life.
