Insights into Matthew Perry's Struggles: A Compilation of Friends Cast's Statements
The ‘Friends’ cast, including Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer, have openly discussed Matthew Perry's struggles over the years Discover what they have to say about their co-star
Matthew Perry, known for his role on Friends, fearlessly confronted addiction and other health challenges. Throughout his journey, his fellow Friends cast members Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer unwaveringly supported him, both publicly and privately.
These six talented actors entertained audiences on the NBC sitcom for a decade, from 1994 to 2004. Despite Perry's rising fame as the lovable Chandler Bing, he battled addiction, leading him to seek rehabilitation twice. In 1997, he underwent treatment for his Vicodin addiction due to a jet ski accident. Additionally, he faced alcohol abuse and was hospitalized in 2000 for pancreatitis. Perry underwent further rehabilitation in 2001.
Having cleaned up, Perry shifted his focus to sharing his personal journey. In 2002, he disclosed to The New York Times, "I didn't become sober out of choice, but rather out of fear that I wouldn't make it through the next day."
In May 2021, Perry joined the cast for a highly anticipated reunion showcased on HBO Max. However, it wasn't until October 2022, just weeks before the launch of his memoir "Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing," that Perry revealed to the New York Times his 18-month recovery period. This meant that during the filming of the reunion special in April 2021, he was still in the early stages of his sobriety.
Scroll through the gallery below to revisit everything the Friends cast has said about Perry’s struggles through the years.
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Everything the ‘Friends’ Cast Has Said About Matthew Perry’s Struggles Through the Years
Matthew Perry, known for his role on Friends, bravely confronted his battle with addiction and other health challenges in the public eye. Throughout his journey, his fellow Friends cast members - Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer - stood by his side, providing unwavering support both publicly and behind closed doors.
For a decade, from 1994 to 2004, these six actors captivated audiences on the NBC sitcom. Despite Perry's rising fame as the beloved Chandler Bing, he faced personal struggles that led him to undergo rehab twice. In 1997, following a jet ski accident, he sought treatment for his addiction to Vicodin. Additionally, Perry battled alcohol abuse and was hospitalized in 2000 due to pancreatitis. To further aid in his recovery, he completed another rehab stint in 2001.
After achieving sobriety, Perry dedicated himself to sharing his personal journey. In a 2002 interview with The New York Times, he disclosed, "I didn't choose to get sober on a whim. It was driven by the fear that my life would end imminently."
In May 2021, Perry joined his fellow cast members for a highly anticipated reunion, which aired on HBO Max. In October 2022, just prior to the release of his memoir titled "Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing," Perry revealed to the New York Times that he had been in recovery for approximately 18 months. This indicated that during the filming of the reunion special in April 2021, Perry was recently on the path to sobriety.
Scroll through the gallery below to revisit everything the Friends cast has said about Perry’s struggles through the years.
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Lisa Kudrow
In 2002, the actress discussed how the cast dealt with Perry's struggle with addiction and health issues. She expressed the immense difficulty they faced and described their experience of helplessly witnessing his battle. Despite the challenges, she highlighted Perry's humor, charm, and ability to bring laughter to their lives.
Furthermore, she wrote the foreword for Perry's upcoming memoir, set to be released in November 2022. She acknowledged the severity of his disease, emphasizing his unwavering determination to continue fighting and living. The actress expressed her love for Perry and emphasized their strong bond, considering themselves part of a family. In conclusion, she reassured him of her unwavering support by referencing the iconic Friends theme song, stating that she will always be there for him.
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Matt LeBlanc
LeBlanc made a revelation in 2002, stating that he made an effort to assist his fellow actor upon observing the concerning situation, but unfortunately, his attempts to communicate with him were unsuccessful. "I made an attempt to have a conversation with him," he revealed to People magazine. "However, there was no response. This battle is deeply personal; individuals have to reach their lowest point before seeking help."
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Courteney Cox
Referring to his personal challenges in 2015, The Cougar Town alum, who portrayed Monica Geller, Perry's onscreen wife on Friends, hinted at his remarkable talent for displaying raw emotions and establishing meaningful connections with his audience. She commended him for drawing inspiration from his own past to embody the role of a widower in the short-lived sitcom Go On. "I admired how Matthew made his character relatable by revealing vulnerability through his own personal hardships," she shared with BuzzFeed.
In February 2022, she told the Times of London that Perry has "just struggled for a while,” adding, “I think he’s doing great now.”
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David Schwimmer
Schwimmer has mostly remained silent regarding Perry's offscreen struggles. However, he found himself in a difficult position during a 2003 TV interview with the cast when he was asked about the challenges of witnessing a friend in distress. Observant fans noticed Aniston shaking her head towards the direction of the American Crime Story star, prompting Schwimmer to simply respond, "It was indeed very difficult." Speculation arose that the actress gestured for Schwimmer to provide a vague answer, safeguarding his personal response.
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Jennifer Aniston
Aniston has previously kept her thoughts on Perry's sobriety private, but in a 1997 Entertainment Weekly profile just before his first stint in rehab, she lauded him as one of the most sensitive individuals she had ever encountered. Elaborating further, she hinted at his challenging connection with fame, which he would later touch upon when speaking about his struggles with addiction. According to Aniston, he deeply cares about others' opinions and is susceptible to being easily affected by them.
