The world is still in shock over the death of Matthew Perry, after the former ‘Friends’ star was found dead in his own hot tub on Saturday at the age of 54, having apparently drowned. Now, a chilling clip from nearly two decades ago has resurfaced showing Perry’s ‘Friends’ co-star Jennifer Aniston breaking down in tears at the thought of ‘losing’ him amid his years-long battle with addiction.
Matthew Perry and Jennifer Aniston on the set of Friends (1995) pic.twitter.com/ABmzOlbySe
– cineaesthetic. (@TheCinesthetic) October 30, 2023
Aniston breaks down in 2004 interview
During a 2004 interview with Diane Sawyer, Aniston was asked what each of her “Friends” co-stars “didn’t know” about themselves. Although she seemed positively excited to talk about co-stars Courteney Cox and Lisa Kudrow, her mood immediately changed and she bowed her head when asked about what Perry didn’t know about herself.
“That he’s doing well,” Aniston said.
“Perry has had a tough battle with his addiction,” Sawyer explained in a voiceover. “When it hit, his fellow actors tried but didn’t know how to help.”
“He was having a hard time,” Aniston continued as she burst into tears. “We didn’t know. We weren’t equipped to deal with it. No one had ever had to deal with that. And the idea of even losing him… he has a path. But he is doing well.”
Watch the clip for yourself in the video below.
Jennifer Aniston cries because she almost lost Matthew Perry in 2004 😢🕊️ pic.twitter.com/9L3DNVJZiE
— Quinn (@outtaminds) October 29, 2023
Related: Chilling new details emerge about Matthew Perry’s death after ‘Friends’ star is found dead in hot tub at 54
Perry’s addiction struggle
Perry has long been open about his decades-long battle with addiction to both drugs and alcohol. In his 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing,” Perry revealed to the world that it was Aniston who was the first person to confront him about his drinking on the set of “Friends.”
In the book, Perry admitted that he had previously been in love with Aniston, so it was “devastating” to be confronted by her specifically about his drinking. He remembered the day she came to his trailer and told him bluntly, “I know you drink.”
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“I had been over her for a long time – since she started dating Brad Pitt, I was doing well – and had figured out exactly how long I could look at her without it becoming awkward, but still the confrontation with Jennifer Aniston was devastating ,” Perry wrote, according to Insider. “And I was confused.”
Perry calmed herself down and asked Aniston how she knew he wasn’t sober since he “never worked drunk.”
“We can smell it,” she said in a strange but loving way, and the plural “we” hit me like a sledgehammer,” Perry wrote.
Perry admitted in the memoir that he “never worked high, but I certainly worked hungover,” and that he often needed someone to drive him to the set.
Matthew Perry loved Jennifer Aniston so much, they were literally soulmates 🥺. It really breaks my heart that he is truly gone, may he rest. I send my prayers and thoughts to his family and friends. ❤️🩹 pic.twitter.com/7Kv53SGXFs
— Lusey (@itsslusey) October 29, 2023
Related: Sad details emerge about Suzanne Somers’ death
‘Friends’ stars honor Perry
Aniston, Cox and Kudrow broke their silence on Perry’s death, along with their “Friends” co-stars Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer in a joint statement released Monday.
“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just castmates. We are a family,” read their statement, which was obtained by People Magazine. “There is so much to say, but right now we are going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.”
“We will say more in due course, if and when we are able to do so,” their statement continued. “For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends and everyone who loved him around the world.”
The cast of Friends released a joint statement to People magazine regarding the death of Matthew Perry. pic.twitter.com/H2FAfF1J6I
— Chandler Bing Parody (@ChandlerBing_12) October 30, 2023
How Perry wanted to be remembered
Perry was believed to have been sober at the time of his death, and according to TMZ, no illegal drugs were found in his home after his death. In an interview that aired last November, Perry was asked how he would like to be remembered.
“I would like to be remembered as someone who lived well, loved well and was a seeker,” he said, according to TODAY. “And the most important thing is that he wants to help people. That is what I want.”
How Matthew Perry wanted to be remembered. I think we can honor his wishes today. pic.twitter.com/JccrJOZfKQ
— Everything that dazzles (@ATDazzles) October 29, 2023
Please join us in praying for Aniston and Perry’s other loved ones as they continue to grieve this incredible man.
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