The world is still in shock over the death of Matthew Perry after the former “Friends” star was found dead in his own hot tub on Saturday at the age of 54 in an apparent drowning. Now, a chilling clip from nearly twenty years ago has resurfaced in which Perry’s “Friends” co-star Jennifer Aniston breaks down in tears over the thought of “losing” him amidst his years-long battle with addiction.
Matthew Perry and Jennifer Aniston on the set of Friends (1995) pic.twitter.com/ABmzOlbySe
— cinesthetic. (@TheCinesthetic) October 30, 2023
Aniston Breaks Down In 2004 Interview
During a 2004 interview with Diane Sawyer, Aniston was asked what each of her “Friends” co-stars “didn’t know” about themselves. While she appeared positively excited to talk about co-stars Courteney Cox and Lisa Kudrow, her mood immediately shifted and she bowed her head when asked about what Perry was unaware of about himself.
“That he’s alright,” Aniston said.
“Perry has had a tough battle with addiction,” Sawyer explained in a voiceover. “When it hit, his fellow actors tried, but didn’t know how to help.”
“He struggled,” Aniston continued as she began to break down in tears. “We didn’t know. We weren’t equipped to deal with it. Nobody had ever dealt with that. And the idea of even losing him … he’s having a road. But he’s alright.”
Check out the clip for yourself in the video below.
Jennifer Aniston cries talking about almost losing Matthew Perry in 2004 😢🕊️ pic.twitter.com/9L3DNVJZiE
— quinn (@outtaminds) October 29, 2023
Perry’s Addiction Struggles
Perry had long been open about his decades-long battle with addiction to both drugs and alcohol. In his 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing,” Perry revealed to the world that it was Aniston who was the first person to confront him about his drinking on the set of “Friends.”
In the book, Perry admitted that he had previously had a crush on Aniston, so it was “devastating” to be confronted about his drinking by her specifically. He recalled the day when she came to his trailer and told him bluntly, “I know you’re drinking.”
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“I had long since gotten over her — ever since she started dating Brad Pitt, I was fine — and had worked out exactly how long to look at her without it being awkward, but still, to be confronted by Jennifer Aniston was devastating,” Perry wrote, according to Insider. “And I was confused.”
Perry composed himself and asked Aniston how she knew he wasn’t sober since he “never worked drunk.”
“‘We can smell it,’ she said, in a kind of weird but loving way, and the plural ‘we’ hit me like a sledgehammer,” Perry wrote.
Perry admitted in the memoir that he “never worked high, but I certainly worked hungover,” and that he often needed someone to drive him to set.
Matthew Perry loved Jennifer Aniston so much, they were literally soul mates 🥺. Truly breaks my heart that he’s actually gone, may he rest easily. Sending my prayers and thoughts to his family and friends. ❤️🩹 pic.twitter.com/7Kv53SGXFs
— Lusey (@itsslusey) October 29, 2023
Related: Sad Details Emerge About Suzanne Somers’ Death
‘Friends’ Stars Honor Perry
Aniston, Cox and Kudrow broke their silence about Perry’s death along with their “Friends” co-stars Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer in a joint statement issued on Monday.
“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family,” read their statement, which was obtained by People Magazine. “There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.”
“In time we will say more, as and when we are able,” their statement continued. “For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”
The Friends cast has released a joint statement to People magazine regarding the passing of Matthew Perry. pic.twitter.com/H2FAfF1J6I
— Chandler Bing Parody (@ChandlerBing_12) October 30, 2023
How Perry Wanted To Be Remembered
Perry was believed to have been sober at the time of his death, and no illegal drugs were found at his home after his passing, according to TMZ. In an interview that aired in November of last year, Perry was asked how he wants to be remembered.
“I’d like to be remembered as somebody who lived well, loved well, was a seeker,” he said, according to TODAY. “And his paramount thing is that he wants to help people. That’s what I want.”
How Matthew Perry wanted to be remembered. I think we can honour his wishes today. pic.twitter.com/JccrJOZfKQ
— All That Dazzles (@ATDazzles) October 29, 2023
Please join us in saying a prayer for Aniston and Perry’s other loved ones as they continue to grieve this incredible man.
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