Remembering Matthew Perry: A Tribute to His Enduring Legacy
Matthew Perry's former assistant, Briana Brancato, pays tribute to the actor's profound impact on her life, expressing heartfelt sorrow over his passing She fondly cherishes their remarkable journey together
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images
Matthew Perry‘s former assistant Briana Brancato is opening up about her close bond with the late actor after his sudden death.
"I have expressed my deepest gratitude to him on multiple occasions, not only for guiding me into a career that I cherish but also for granting me the privilege of caring for him for 7 years," Brancato shared in her Instagram tribute on Monday, October 30th. Alongside the heartfelt message, she posted a slideshow of endearing photos depicting their time together. "In addition to the countless other experiences I am grateful for, I have had the privilege of witnessing his genius and sharing in his extraordinary adventures across the globe. He has taken me on an incredible journey."
While mourning Perry's passing, Brancato conveyed her heavy heart and emphasized that celebrating their shared memories is the utmost profound way to pay tribute to his legacy.
Brancato expressed her hope for signs from Mattman in the afterlife, stating that they are greatly needed. She reassured him that he will always hold a special place in her heart and expressed her love for him as she concluded her heartfelt message. Accompanying her words, Brancato shared a black-and-white photograph of herself and Perry sitting together. She also included a snapshot of them lying side by side in a bed, along with a picture of Perry smiling alongside a small dog. Additionally, she posted a video of the couple playfully joking around while on a plane.
Courtesy of Briana Brancato/Instagram
Perry, aged 54, passed away at his residence on October 28. The Los Angeles coroner's office has confirmed his death. The exact cause of Perry's demise has yet to be determined, as a toxicology report is still pending following an initial autopsy.
Authorities were called to respond to a report of an individual experiencing cardiac arrest on Saturday. Perry was discovered in an unresponsive state inside a standalone jacuzzi, as stated by the Los Angeles Fire Department. According to a department representative, a witness had managed to bring the person's head out of the water and bring them to the edge of the jacuzzi, before firefighters removed them from the water upon arrival. After conducting a swift medical evaluation, it was unfortunately determined that the individual had passed away before the arrival of the emergency responders.
Perry gained immense popularity for his portrayal of Chandler Bing on the popular sitcom Friends, which aired for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004. In a shared statement to We on Monday, his co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer expressed their deep sadness over Perry's passing. They emphasized their close bond, describing themselves as more than just colleagues but as a family. They expressed the need to take some time to mourn and process this devastating loss, with plans to share more in the future when they are ready.
The Friends cast members added, "Currently, we are directing our thoughts and love towards Matty's family, friends, and his global fanbase who cherished him."
Prior to his passing, Perry had honestly shared his battle with addiction throughout the years, documenting his triumphs and hardships in his memoir, Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing, published in 2022. He had previously expressed his desire to be remembered as someone who aimed to assist others.
Perry stated in a November 2022 interview on the "Q with Tom Power" podcast that the most admirable quality about him is his ability to sincerely assist and support individuals struggling with addiction. He emphasized that when he is approached by someone seeking help, he wholeheartedly accepts the request and diligently follows through. Perry also stressed that when he passes away, he desires to be remembered for his dedication to aiding those in need rather than his fame from the TV show Friends. He intends to continuously demonstrate his commitment to this cause throughout his lifetime.
