Courtney Cox, in a recent interview, shed light on Matthew Perry's challenging moments during the filming of the iconic series "Friends," which continues to have a devoted following even decades after its debut.
The reunion special of "Friends" that aired on HBO Max in May 2021 rekindled the emotions associated with the beloved show, 17 years after it concluded in 2004. During the reunion, the actors couldn't conceal the effects of time and the personal difficulties they faced. Courtney Cox, in particular, revealed the struggles Matthew Perry had during filming.
"He was battling with himself. The constant pressure to be funny had eroded his self-confidence," shared the actress during the interview.
In the reunion special, Perry appeared to have aged more noticeably compared to his co-stars, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, and even David Schwimmer, who still looked youthful and vibrant.
In the later seasons of the series, Courtney Cox's character, "Monica," was romantically involved with Matthew Perry's character, "Chandler," and their story concluded with them becoming parents.
After "Friends" ended, various stories emerged about the challenges faced by the actors, including struggles with alcoholism and other addictions, which proved particularly difficult for Matthew Perry. Perry is expected to address these issues in his autobiography titled "Friends, Lovers, and The Big Terrible Thing."
"A lot has been written about me in the past. I thought it was time people heard it from me. When I was good, I was very good, and when I was bad, I was very bad. But I have lived to tell the tale, even though there were times when it seemed I might not make it. It's all in there. And I apologize, it's not a pop-up book," Perry shared on social media.
The book is anticipated to shed light on the experiences behind the scenes, including Perry's tumultuous relationship with his colleagues due to his mood swings and struggles with addiction.
"I can't recall three years of the series. During that time, between the third and sixth seasons, I was somewhat absent," Perry revealed in an interview with the BBC.
Courtney Cox expressed her belief that, despite a challenging period, her friend and co-star Matthew Perry "will be okay" now.
