Matthew Perry and Courteney Cox's Enduring Bond: A Journey Through the Years
Discover the enduring bond between Matthew Perry and Courteney Cox from their iconic onscreen romance to their real-life friendship Explore their memorable quotes and heartwarming moments that have solidified their connection over the years
The onscreen chemistry between Matthew Perry and Courteney Cox, who played Chandler Bing and Monica Geller on Friends respectively, led many fans to speculate about a potential romantic connection between the two actors offscreen. However, in reality, Perry and Cox maintained a strictly platonic relationship throughout their time working together on the NBC sitcom.
After Friends ended in 2004, Perry and Cox delighted fans by reuniting on screen multiple times, allowing glimpses into their friendship.
In January 2014, Cox shared her admiration for Perry following his cameo on her TBS show Cougar Town. During an appearance on CONAN, she expressed her joy of working with him, describing him as incredibly kind. Reflecting on their time together on Friends, she revealed that he played a crucial role in shaping her personality for a decade.
The pair remained close until Perry’s death in October 2023. (Perry died from an apparent drowning at age 54.)
Scroll through for a look at Perry and Cox’s friendship over the years:
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Matthew Perry and Courteney Cox’s Relationship and Quotes About Each Other Through the Years
The onscreen chemistry between Matthew Perry and Courteney Cox, who portrayed Chandler Bing and Monica Geller respectively on Friends, was so powerful that numerous fans speculated about a potential real-life romantic connection between the two actors.
Perry and Cox's real-life relationship, despite their love and marriage on the NBC sitcom, was always strictly platonic. Moreover, even after the conclusion of Friends in 2004, they delighted fans by reuniting on numerous occasions, offering glimpses of their enduring friendship on screen.
Cox expressed her admiration for Perry in January 2014 when he made a brief appearance on her TBS series, Cougar Town. During an interview on CONAN, she affectionately described him as "sweet" and credited him for shaping her character during their time together on Friends, which lasted a remarkable 10 years.
Their close bond endured until Perry's unfortunate passing in October 2023 at the age of 54. Tragically, he lost his life due to an apparent drowning accident.
Scroll through for a look at Perry and Cox’s friendship over the years:
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Where It All Began
The pair met as costars on Friends, which premiered in September 1994.
Credit: Youtube
The One With Monica and Chandler's Wedding
Cox and Perry got married onscreen as Monica and Chandler in the season 7 finale of Friends in May 2001. In his memoir titled Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing, released in November 2022, Perry disclosed that he was going through a difficult phase during the filming of the episode.
"In the midst of my greatest success on Friends, at the pinnacle of my career, during that iconic moment on the beloved show, I married Monica and then immediately had to be driven back to the treatment center in a pickup truck accompanied by a sober technician," he shared.
Credit: Courtesy of Matthew Perry/Twitter
Onscreen Together Again
In February 2013, the Go On star, Perry, welcomed the talented actress, Just Before I Go, as a guest on his NBC series. Perry expressed his admiration for her, stating, "She is fantastic, obviously. And my desire to show off in front of her is back in full swing," through a tweet on Twitter. Cox, on her part, shared a picture of herself and her friend on the set.
Credit: Youtube
'Cougar Town' Appearance
Perry returned the favor and appeared on Cox’s comedy in January 2014.
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Visiting Each Other
During an April 2015 conversation with Buzzfeed, Perry said that he and the rest of the Friends cast make an effort to stay in touch.
"We make an effort to gather whenever we have the opportunity. Courteney, a fantastic host, has a lovely residence in Malibu, and we strive to visit there frequently. However, the six of us haven't had the chance to be in the same room for several years," he stated during that time.
Cox also took the opportunity to commend her longtime friend's performance in Go On when speaking to the publication.
She appreciated how Matthew made his character relatable by revealing his vulnerabilities in his personal battles. She added that his "capability to display unfiltered emotions" is what endears him to everyone.
Credit: Courtesy of Courteney Cox/Instagram
Lunch Date
Cox posted a photo on Instagram in November 2019, featuring herself and Perry. "Can you guess who I had lunch with today? I can't contain my happiness!" she wrote, playfully referencing their famous catchphrases from Friends.
Credit: Terence Patrick
'Friends' Forever
The Friends reunion in May 2021 brought the pair back together onscreen once more. Cox expressed her belief that Monica and Chandler would still be a couple in the present and humorously added, "And you continue to make me laugh every day," addressing Perry's sarcastic character.
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Birthday Greetings
Cox sent birthday wishes to the actor from Fools Rush In through her Instagram Story in August 2021. "Happy birthday to someone I truly consider one of the funniest individuals I have ever known," she captioned, sharing a selfie with her former costar.
Credit: BEI/Shutterstock
Turning the Corner
During a February 2022 interview with The Times of London, Cox discussed the immense pressure that Perry placed on himself in his portrayal of Chandler Bing. She acknowledged the significance he attributed to the role in terms of his own self-esteem and acknowledged his ongoing struggles. However, she expressed optimism in his current state, believing that he is now doing exceptionally well.
