Matthew Perry’s sudden passing wrought a hole in the entertainment industry that will take some time to fill.
Hundreds of thousands of people the world over have been mourning his death for the past week, while his close friends and loved ones are naturally devastated.
Perry was extremely open about his struggles with addiction and alcoholism over the years, but it finally looked as though the actor was making a breakthrough of late as regards putting his life on a straight and narrow path.
Sadly, though, it wasn’t to be. The 54-year-old’s funeral was held this past weekend in LA, where his nearest and dearest gathered at a small ceremony to bid their final goodbyes.
Among the mourners were Perry’s Friends castmates, who released a joint statement last week after news of his death broke. According to reports, friends of Jennifer Anniston are especially concerned about her in the wake of Perry’s death, as she’s struggling to come to terms with the loss…
Matthew Perry, the beloved actor known for his portrayal as Chandler Bing on the hit sitcom Friends, passed away on October 28, aged 54. The Los Angeles Police Department is still investigating the cause of his death, though the actor was found unresponsive in the hot tub of his LA home.
Perry struggled with both drug and alcohol addiction throughout his life, but in later years, he devoted his time to helping others. In fact, he didn’t want to only be remembered for his acting or role on Friends, but rather how he helped others in their battles with addiction.
Throughout his life, Matthew Perry had several relationships, but never married or had children. Among his most cherished relationships were those he shared with his Friends castmates.
Fittingly, they were on hand to bid their final goodbyes to Perry as he was laid to rest at Forest Memorial Park in LA this weekend.
“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family,” their joint statement last week read.
“There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss… For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”
Perry’s private funeral was reportedly an emotional affair, made all the more poignant by the song chosen to close the ceremony.
According to reports, Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush’s rendition of “Don’t Give Up” was chosen as the final song to be played – a tune Sir Elton John once credited with saving his life and helping him get sober.
As stated, Perry’s Friends castmates were in attendance at his funeral, with new reports suggesting that they’re all processing the shock of the actor’s passing in different ways.
A source is said to have told Page Six that Jennifer Anniston is having an especially tough time of things.
“Out of the remaining five, Jen and Courteney [Cox] are reeling the most, and Jen is probably the one who is struggling most acutely,” said the source.
“It’s a second massive loss in less than a year, with the one-year anniversary of her dad’s death just around the corner. She still hasn’t fully regained her footing from that, and now this has just completely knocked her off her feet.”
They added: “She is trying to regroup and recover but it’s been a completely devastating blow.”
Fans will recall that the bond between Anniston and Perry was one that had evidently survived the years following the culmination of Friends. Last year, Perry revealed that Anniston was the one who had checked up on him the most in the intervening years.
“She was the one that reached out the most. You know, I’m really grateful to her for that,” Perry told Diane Sawyer in 2022.
Rest in peace, Matthew Perry.
