Although for a long time he refused to watch his own performance in FriendsLisa Kudrow revealed that she has decided to rewatch episodes of the hit series as a way to honor and remember Matthew Perry, her late co-star.
Perry, who played Chandler Bingdied on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54 due to the acute effects of the anesthetic ketamine, a loss that left a deep mark on his colleagues and millions of fans around the world.
The actress who gave life to Phoebe Buffay had recently admitted that he avoided seeing Friends since the series ended in 2004, claiming he didn’t want to risk people not liking his own work.Honestly, I couldn’t watch it because it’s so embarrassing to watch myself. But if I do it for Matthew, then it’s okay”, he explained during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
Revisiting episodes of the sitcom has brought back memories shared with Perry and the rest of the cast.I laugh so hard, because the cast is incredibly funny.I’m amazed by Courteney Cox, I’m amazed by Jen [Aniston]. Matthew is obviously unique and extremely hilarious“Nobody had that comedic timing or cadence like he did,” Kudrow said.
“Matt LeBlanc is hilarious. And David Schwimmer too. Sometimes I even laugh at what I have done,” he added.
The actress also recalled the camaraderie they experienced during filming, and attributed much of that positive energy to Perry. “We laughed all day between scenes because everyone was so funny. And especially someone like Matthew, whose goal was: How many laughs can I get in real life every day? We were always laughing so much that tears were flying from our faces,” Lisa detailed.
Since his passing, Matthew Perry’s bandmates have shared their feelings of mourning and tribute on several occasions. Most recently, in an interview with VarietyJennifer Aniston said she had exchanged text messages with the actor on the morning of his death.I wasn’t in pain. I wasn’t struggling with problems. I was happy.“, he stressed.
“I want people to know that he was really healthy and on that path.“Aniston told the American media. “I miss him so much. We all do. Boy, did he make us laugh so much.”.
For her part, Courteney Cox, the remembered Monica Geller, spoke about Perry’s legacy and how she can still feel his presence in a “miraculous” way.
“He visits me a lot, if we believe in that,” Cox told CBS Sunday Morning in May. “I talk to my mom, my dad, Matthew. I feel like there are a lot of people guiding us.”
The official investigation into the death of Matthew Perry is still ongoing. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has been working with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the United States Postal Inspector to investigate the origin of ketamine which led to the actor’s death.
A police source told PEOPLE that the investigations are “close to conclusion” and that “multiple people” could face criminal charges related to the distribution of the substance. Despite these developments, the final decision on whether to file charges rests with the United States Attorney’s Office, which has so far declined to comment.
On the other hand, Kudrow’s career continues to be active in television. The actress will soon appear in Time Bandits, an Apple TV+ series based on the 1981 fantasy film directed by Terry Gilliam. In fiction, Lisa plays Penelope, the leader of a group of thieves who travel through time and space.
