Marta Kauffman will forever cherish her final conversation with Matthew Perry, which took place just two weeks before the actor’s untimely passing.
In a Nov. 1 interview with Hoda Kotb on Today, the co-creator of Friends expressed her shock and sadness at the loss of Perry, who portrayed Chandler Bing on the beloved sitcom for its 10-season run. Perry tragically died in a suspected drowning incident at his Los Angeles residence on Oct. 28, at the age of 54. A Los Angeles Medical Examiner report indicates that the cause of death is pending the results of a toxicology test.
Kauffman remembered her last interaction with Perry, stating that he seemed happy and upbeat, carrying no evident burdens. She lamented the seeming unfairness of his passing, given his positive state of mind at the time.
Perry had been instrumental in supporting individuals dealing with addiction. He candidly shared his own struggles in his memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” released the previous year. In the book, he detailed his extensive efforts to achieve sobriety, along with a near-fatal experience related to opioid use in 2018.
Kauffman confirmed that she had expressed her concerns about Perry’s well-being, given his history, after the Friends reunion in 2021. She was aware of the challenges he faced in managing pain and the risk of relapse due to prescribed opioids following surgeries.
However, when Kauffman saw Perry just two weeks before his passing, he appeared to be doing well and was sober. She noted that he seemed to be in a better emotional state and had even quit smoking.
Reflecting on the loss of the Fools Rush In star, Kauffman acknowledged the profound void left in her life and the lives of countless fans. She expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from fans who also considered Perry a friend.
Following the news of Perry’s passing, tributes poured in from fans, family, and his former Friends costars, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer, who described themselves as more than just castmates but a family.
The creators of Friends, Marta Kauffman and David Crane, sensed the unique chemistry and closeness among the cast from the beginning of the show in 1994. They underscored the bond that developed on and off-screen during the series’ decade-long run, with supporting Perry being a top priority for the cast and crew.
Matthew Perry’s passing has left an indelible mark, not only as a talented actor but as a cherished friend and part of the extended Friends family.
