Jennifer Aniston paid a heartfelt tribute to her late Friends co-star and close friend, Matthew Perry, on the first anniversary of his passing. Aniston shared nostalgic photos on Instagram, showcasing their bond.
Among the images were candid moments of the two together, a memorable scene where Perry’s character, Chandler, kissed Rachel on the forehead, a cast huddle with their fellow co-stars, and a picture of Perry smiling brightly.
In her caption, Aniston simply wrote, ‘1 year,’ tagging the official Instagram account of the Matthew Perry Foundation, which supports those struggling with addiction—an issue Perry openly battled.
The two starred together for a decade on Friends, an iconic sitcom that portrayed a group of close-knit friends navigating life and love in New York City. Their beloved characters have left a lasting legacy, making Friends a cultural cornerstone since its original run from 1994 to 2004.
Alongside Aniston and Perry, the show featured Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer, all of whom mourned Perry's passing in their unique ways.
Perry, renowned for his quick wit and memorable portrayal of Chandler Bing, passed away last October at the age of 54. His sudden death sent shockwaves through Hollywood, with his Friends castmates releasing a joint statement expressing profound loss.
Aniston, who described Perry as her ‘little brother,’ had previously shared her grief, saying, ‘Saying goodbye to our Matty has been an insane wave of emotions… Being able to SIT in this grief lets you feel the joy and gratitude for having loved someone so deeply.’
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Aniston’s tribute also resonates with Perry’s hope for his legacy.
In his memoir published in 2022, he expressed a desire to be remembered for his efforts to help others facing addiction rather than just for his role on Friends. Aniston has also highlighted his journey, stating, ‘I want people to know he was getting healthy… He was on a pursuit… he made us laugh really hard.’
However, Perry's death has been compounded by a government investigation into the circumstances surrounding it. The autopsy revealed that Perry died due to acute effects of Ketamine, prompting scrutiny of five individuals, including two of his assistants and two doctors, linked to his death.
Perry's stepfather, Keith Morrison, spoke candidly about the pain of the investigation, stating, ‘It makes you angry.’
While Morrison could not delve into specific details about the investigation, he expressed belief that Perry’s status as a public figure intensified the scrutiny.
Perry's family hopes that the ongoing investigation will serve as a warning to those who enable drug addiction. The newly formed Matthew Perry Foundation aims to support individuals in recovery, fulfilling Perry's wish to help others beyond his fame from Friends.
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