‘He was happy’: Jennifer Aniston dispels misconceptions about Matthew Perry’s final days

Friends star Jennifer Aniston has shared heartfelt insights into the final days of her dear friend and colleague, Matthew Perry, dispelling any misconceptions about his untimely death.

Perry passed away on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at the age of 54 after being found unresponsive at his home.

In the aftermath of his passing, Aniston wants to make sure Perry is remembered just as he wanted – not as a victim, but as a man who loved life, brought joy, and made a positive impact on the world.

The actress, visibly emotional, also wanted to set the record straight about Perry’s well-being before his passing. The two had shared a close bond both on and off-screen, and Aniston confirmed that Perry was in good spirits, actively working towards self-improvement, and relishing the happiness that had been missing in the past.

“He was happy. He was healthy. He had quit smoking. He was getting in shape. He was happy — that’s all I know,” she told Variety.

“I was literally texting with him that morning, funny Matty. He was not in pain. He wasn’t struggling. He was happy.”

In the aftermath of his passing, a tidal wave of tributes flooded in from fans and colleagues worldwide, a gesture Aniston found touching.

“It’s so beautiful,” she said.

“I hope he can know that he was loved in a way he never thought he was.”

Perry was laid to rest on November 3 in Los Angeles, surrounded by close friends and family at Forest Lawn cemetery in the Hollywood Hills.

In attendance were all five of his Friends co-stars— Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer. Perry’s family, including John Bennett Perry and his stepfather Keith Morrison, also joined the intimate funeral.

With approximately twenty mourners present, the service remained a small and private affair

Perry’s journey into the world of entertainment began in his early years when, at the age of 15, he moved from Ottawa, Canada, to Los Angeles, California, to chase his acting dreams.

Perry’s first on-screen appearance came when he secured the role of Chazz Russell in the TV series Second Chance. The show later evolved into Boys Will Be Boys, focusing on Chazz and his friends. Despite the show’s brief run, Perry’s determination to succeed in Hollywood was unwavering.

His breakthrough came when he landed the part of Chandler Bing in the hit series Friends in 1994.

His portrayal of Chandler Bing, one of the show’s iconic characters, catapulted him to international stardom. The sitcom’s unparalleled success also earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2002.