As a gamer with a deep affection for both gaming and TV shows, I must confess that this weekend’s 30th anniversary of Friends’ premiere on NBC was a bittersweet moment. On one hand, it’s a testament to a timeless sitcom that continues to entertain generations; on the other, it’s a stark reminder of the loss we suffered with Matthew Perry’s passing.
This past weekend signified a significant achievement for one of television’s greatest sitcoms – Friends – as it celebrated 30 years since its premiere on NBC. Undoubtedly, fans commemorated this classic show by re-watching episodes with their Max subscriptions or reminiscing about iconic Friends quotes. However, for at least one guest star, the memories evoked weren’t entirely fond. Tate Donovan, who played Jennifer Aniston‘s love interest Joshua, was going through a breakup with Aniston during filming. He shared that Matthew Perry provided him comfort during his heartache.
In Season 4, Tate Donovan portrayed Joshua, a newly divorced character who enlisted Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) as his personal shopper for a fresh wardrobe. On the series, Joshua remained unaware of Rachel’s affections towards him, while off-screen their relationship had recently concluded after two years in private. Donovan shared with The Independent that Matthew Perry was particularly kind to him during this challenging period.
I can’t express enough gratitude for the kindness he showed on set, especially when I was going through a rough patch and felt like I was barely hanging on. It’s astounding how unaware we are of the impact we have on others. Little did I know, Matt Perry’s humor was not just imitated by everyone else, but it was a beacon of light that guided us all during tough times. It’s truly heartbreaking to think about the challenges he faced in his personal life, as he brought so much joy and laughter to so many.
Matthew Perry passed away almost a year ago, tragically drowning in his hot tub following an overdose of ketamine. Tate Donovan, known for his role in The O.C., had nothing but praise for Perry. During the span of Perry’s relationship with Jennifer Aniston on Friends, Donovan often socialized with the Friends cast. Donovan went on to say:
Man, I can’t help but reflect on how incredible Matt Perry was during our show’s run. He was the lifeblood of that cast, hands down. Whenever we’d crack jokes or share laughter, it was usually Matt who led the charge. You see, in a sitcom, you focus on your own scenes and move on, but Matt? He made it a point to watch every single scene that everyone was in. Every scene I was in, he was there, supporting me like no one else.
It could appear unexpected that Tate Donovan assumed the character of Joshua at such a sensitive moment, but he shared that he believed collaborating would help soften the pain of the separation and hasten their transition into friendship. However, I’m not certain how effective this strategy proved, as he admitted: “I can’t say for sure if it worked or not.
Despite everyone’s encouragement, I found it incredibly challenging. It felt similar to attending classes after breaking up with the girl I used to sit next to in high school – just utterly tough.
It’s truly devastating to hear that, and he mentioned that he had avoided rewatching those episodes for quite some time due to the emotional distress they caused. However, more recently, he has managed to watch his work again and feels a sense of pride in the acting he delivered.
Tate Donovan isn’t the only guest star on “Friends” who has spoken about Matthew Perry’s kindness. John Stamos recounted that Perry helped him avoid an awkward situation, and Marlo Thomas shared a heartwarming story about Perry showing compassion when she was cast as Rachel’s mother on the show.
It certainly is strange to celebrate such a big Friends milestone without Matthew Perry, but the actor wanted to be remembered for helping people, and we’re continuously learning about new ways in which he did just that.
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2024-09-24 22:37