In a heartfelt moment at the 2024 Critics’ Choice Awards in Santa Monica, California, Jennifer Aniston opened up about the passing of her late Friends co-star, Matthew Perry. The actress, known for her role in The Morning Show, shared her thoughts with Entertainment Tonight, urging fans to keep Perry’s memory alive by celebrating his legacy.
Perry, who struggled with addiction throughout his life, tragically passed away on October 28 at the age of 54. The autopsy report, obtained by PEOPLE in December, revealed that his death was caused by the acute effects of ketamine, with drowning, coronary artery disease, and buprenorphine effects listed as contributing factors. The official ruling was accidental.
Following Perry’s untimely death, Hollywood figures, including all five of his Friends co-stars, took to social media to pen touching tributes. Perry’s family honored his legacy by establishing the Matthew Perry Foundation, dedicated to supporting those battling substance abuse—an initiative Perry had planned to champion himself.
Aniston, 54, actively endorsed the foundation, encouraging her followers to contribute on Giving Tuesday. In her post, she emphasized Perry’s gratitude for the love and expressed a collective sense of loss within the Friends family.
In a December interview with Variety, Aniston shared her hopes for how Perry would be remembered, highlighting his happiness and the overwhelming beauty of the tributes that poured in from fans and colleagues alike. She expressed a deep desire for Perry to understand the profound love he had garnered throughout his life.
Breaking her silence on November 15, Aniston took to Instagram to share one of her final text messages from Perry. The post included a poignant photo of the two from the sitcom’s 2004 finale episode. Aniston reflected on the intense emotions of saying goodbye to “our Matty” and stressed the importance of embracing grief to find moments of joy and gratitude for the profound connection they shared.
Aniston fondly recalled the unique bond formed by the Friends cast, describing them as a chosen family that forever altered the course of their lives. She highlighted Perry’s passion for making people laugh, stating that his life “depended on it.” The actress concluded her tribute by sharing that she had been revisiting their text message exchanges—moments of laughter, tears, and shared memories that she intends to cherish forever.
As fans and the entertainment industry continue to mourn the loss of Matthew Perry, Jennifer Aniston’s call to celebrate his legacy echoes a sentiment of love, remembrance, and appreciation for the joy he brought to countless lives.
