The passing of Matthew Perry last Saturday sent shockwaves through the Friends community, particularly affecting Jennifer Aniston, who had stood by his side for years, offering her unwavering support in his battle against addiction.
An unearthed interview from 2004 showcases the depth of Aniston's concern and emotional turmoil as she candidly discussed her co-star's struggles.
Matthew Perry's untimely demise at the age of 54 in his Los Angeles home cast a somber shadow over fans and colleagues, with Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer taking time to reflect on the profound impact of his loss. In a joint statement, they shared their devastation and emphasized the familial bond they shared, expressing their need for time to grieve and come to terms with the tragic news.
Among the Friends cast, Jennifer Aniston's connection with Matthew Perry ran especially deep, as she had been aware of his ongoing battle with addiction. Her unflagging dedication to helping him overcome his challenges spoke volumes of their friendship.
In his 2022 book, "Friends, Lovers, and That's So Terrible," Perry confessed to having had strong feelings for Jennifer before she embarked on her relationship with Brad Pitt. Witnessing her struggle with addiction prompted a reevaluation of his own life, as he explained, "Watching her go through that was heart-wrenching. She was the one who reached out to me the most, and I am profoundly grateful for her support."
The Emotional Interview with Jennifer Aniston in 2004
Jennifer Aniston's steadfast support for her friend was evident during a 2004 interview with Diane Sawyer, shortly after the immense success of Friends. When asked about each of her co-stars, Aniston, visibly emotional, discussed Matthew Perry's struggles with addiction, which had deeply affected her.
"We didn't know, we weren't prepared to deal with it. No one had ever had to deal with that, let alone the fear of losing him," she confessed, her voice breaking as she wiped away tears.
In a separate 2022 interview with the same journalist, Matthew Perry acknowledged Jennifer's pivotal role during his turbulent period of self-destruction. Aniston had been his guardian angel, recognizing his troubles early on and courageously confronting him to offer her support.
"Despite the incredible success of Friends, he was in a dark room, surrounded by drug dealers, feeling completely alone," he revealed, emphasizing the profound impact of Aniston's compassionate intervention during that challenging time.
