Friends Creator Has A Message For The Fans About Matthew Perry’s Legacy: ‘Remember Him Not As A Man Who Died Like That’

As a long-time fan of Friends, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of loss for Matthew Perry, who played the beloved Chandler Bing. The show was a beacon of light in my life during some tough times, and his character brought countless moments of laughter that still resonate today.

It’s been about a year since the world said goodbye to Matthew Perry, a beloved star from the show Friends. For many of us who find comfort in re-watching the series, it seems there’s been a bit of a shadow over the program lately, as the tragic circumstances surrounding Perry’s death at 54 have dampened some of its lighthearted humor. Co-creator of Friends, Marta Kauffman, shared her thoughts on Perry’s final days and asked fans to remember him not as a man who ended his life in such a way, but instead celebrate the joy he brought us through his memorable character.

On October 28, 2023, it was discovered that Matthew Perry was unconscious in his hot tub. An autopsy revealed that he had drowned as a result of elevated ketamine levels in his body. Marta Kauffman, who played a significant role in portraying Chandler Bing on the hit sitcom “Friends”, expressed her thoughts to The Times (UK) about honoring Perry’s legacy, having maintained contact with him more frequently than any other cast member.

Among all, he was the person I interacted with the most frequently. Approximately two weeks before [his passing], we were video chatting on FaceTime, and he appeared to be in high spirits. Two ideas pop into my mind for honoring him: one is contributing to substance abuse treatment facilities – let’s combat this illness together. The second idea is to watch Friends and recall him not as a man who met an unfortunate end but as a man who brought laughter and joy to everyone around him with his infectious humor.

It’s undeniable that Matthew Perry’s struggles were hard to overlook. In fact, he himself revealed in his memoir titled “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing” that one could trace his addiction during the series by observing his weight changes throughout it. With the recent arrests linked to his demise, it might offer some closure to his family and admirers, enabling them to begin healing and moving forward.

In essence, this isn’t likely how the actor himself would prefer to be perceived. Matthew Perry himself has mentioned his legacy in his book, stating that he was more than just an actor on the popular NBC sitcom; he was a helper of people. I believe both aspects will be remembered about him, but it may take some time for this full picture to emerge.

Prior to his passing, Marta Kauffman wasn’t the only individual from the renowned series who conversed with the actor; Jennifer Aniston, a former cast member, revealed that they were exchanging texts that very morning, and she mentioned he was in good spirits. The actress portraying Rachel Green added that he appeared healthy and had given up smoking.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but imagine how bewildering and heartbreaking it must have been for Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, and David Schwimmer when that tragic event unfolded on that fateful day. In the days that followed, they collectively expressed their profound sorrow through a shared statement, stating they were left “devastated” by an “unfathomable loss.”

Fans find it challenging to cope with the unfortunate events surrounding Matthew Perry’s passing, but Marta Kauffman believes that his memory can be celebrated in a manner he would appreciate – by offering aid to those battling addiction and enjoying re-runs of Friends, where they can chuckle at some of Chandler’s funniest one-liners.

With a Max subscription, you have access to stream all ten seasons of a highly acclaimed sitcom, giving you an opportunity to catch up on the lives of the Friends cast as well.

2024-08-18 18:07

Read More