Thomas Lennon Describes Matthew Perry as an 'Unintentional Sensation': He 'Embraced Intense Emotions'
Thomas Lennon pays tribute to former costar Matthew Perry, describing him as an 'accidental superstar' with an immense emotional depth
JC Olivera/Getty Images; Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic
Thomas Lennon is speaking out following the sudden death of one of his closest friends and former costars, Matthew Perry.
In his tribute published via Variety on Tuesday, October 31, Lennon, 53, shared, "Matthew Perry shared numerous stories with me, all of which are not suitable for print." He went on to describe Perry as someone who lived a tumultuous life, someone who had intense emotions and did not shy away from involving others in those emotions. Lennon likened Perry to a comedy sword-swallower, but with real swords that caused real pain.
The actor referred to his deceased friend as "a personification of anxiety presented as a popular figure, like a cartoon mascot, and possessing the charisma of a matinee idol. He was also a talented tennis player from Canada, a heartthrob with a palpitation issue, and a playwright who gained fame unintentionally." Perry, aged 54, passed away on Saturday, October 28, at his residence in Los Angeles. Law enforcement officers were summoned to his home, where he was discovered "unconscious in a separate hot tub," according to a spokesperson from the Los Angeles Fire Department. They further mentioned that Perry was already deceased when emergency responders arrived.
Matthew Perry and Thomas Lennon attend CBS’ 2015 Summer TCA Party Barry King/Getty Images
Several close friends and former colleagues have come forward to share their cherished memories of Perry following his passing. Lennon, in particular, recalled Perry as someone who carried a significant amount of pain, likely alluding to his ongoing battle with addiction.
"He wore his pain openly. Matty would lend you his jacket, which still carried the scent of cigarettes, with the pain visible right there on the sleeve. Matty would even offer you cigarettes," Lennon's tribute continued. "When he felt uneasy, Matty would make jokes, and he often worried more than people realized. Matthew Perry always poked fun at himself in his best jokes. Matty would openly admit to his mistakes, which were frequent. And yet, Matty was always easy to forgive."
Perry's world, once held in the palm of his hand, was now caught in a relentless battle with the weight of the world on his shoulders, as expressed by Lennon.
"Matty's relentless pursuit of self-improvement was evident. He constantly sought conversation and companionship," Lennon remarked. He further added, "Matty despised solitude. His ultimate goal was to bring laughter, even if it meant enduring pain akin to swallowing swords."
Matthew Perry and Thomas Lennon attend the SAG Foundation ‘Conversations Series’ Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images
Lennon and Perry first crossed paths when Lennon made a guest appearance on an episode of Friends in 1999. Fast forward ten years, the duo portrayed best friends in the 2009 comedy 17 Again. Reuniting once again on the small screen, Lennon and Perry starred together in the three-seasoned CBS remake of The Odd Couple in 2015. In addition to his heartfelt tribute in Variety, Lennon took to social media to remember Perry, posting a poignant photo of the two and captioning it with "Goodnight, friend." The post has now been pinned to Lennon's Instagram profile.
According to an exclusive source in the latest issue of We, despite experiencing both highs and lows, Perry was committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The source also shared that Perry was determined to regain his former self and found happiness when playing pickleball on the court. Additionally, another insider revealed that Perry was finding joy in the simple pleasures of life.
The source disclosed that Matthew immensely enjoyed spending time at home with his friends and relishing moments with his family. The source emphasized the strong bond Matthew had with his parents. Additionally, they mentioned his efforts to engage in various activities and maintain an active lifestyle. Overall, Matthew's wellbeing had notably improved.
