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Friends cast to honour Matthew Perry's legacy ahead of the 20th anniversary of the show's finale
The Friends reunion is bittersweet without Matthew Perry, as the cast plans a tribute for the 20th anniversary of the finale.
Apr 24, 2024
Still from Friends: The Reunion
Six members of the Friends cast finally made it to the Warner Bros. Studio lot in Los Angeles in April 2021 to film the reunion special that fans had been waiting for. The show would premiere the following month to a lot of hype. Actors and writers from the smash hit sitcom reminisced over two days with Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, and Matthew Perry.
It seemed like no time had passed at all, even though they hadn't worked together in nearly 20 years. Their chemistry was off the charts as Aniston, Kudrow, and Cox (all in their 50s) shared beauty and fashion suggestions, and LeBlanc, Schwimmer, and Perry shared jokes. Long after the interviews had ended, the soundstage, which the original series had used starting with its second season, was still emitting the sound of raucous laughter.
Tragic passing of Matthew Perry
When they declared they were just as close offscreen as they were onscreen, the unusual cast of a smash-hit sitcom actually meant it. The discovery of Perry's death at his Pacific Palisades home in October shattered the close-knit crew. An autopsy determined that the actor, found unconscious in his hot tub, died from the rapid onset of ketamine effects. Possible causes were buprenorphine side effects, coronary artery disease, and drowning.
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Perry has struggled with substance abuse for a long time; in his biography from 2022, he admitted to taking 55 Vicodin pills daily while the show was at its peak.
Aniston, Cox, Kudrow, LeBlanc, and Schwimmer have rallied around each other since his unexpected passing, offering support as they grieve. An insider claims that the former co-stars are planning a fitting tribute to the Friends series finale, which aired on May 6, 2004, 20 years after its airing. Back then, 52 million people watched the May 6, 2004 event.
Ongoing support and reflection among stars
Without Perry, it's hard to imagine enjoying a formal gathering or reunion. The source tells Us Weekly that there will be a huge void. However, they understand that the late actor would have preferred them to continue and enjoy the display. Therefore, this will be a major consideration for them in the future.
After Perry passed away, the stars all took to Instagram to share heartfelt memories. They discovered comfort in one another. According to the source, his death served as a reminder of the value of life and the importance of spending more time together. It highlighted their unshakable tie and the necessity to look out for one another.
They keep in regular contact with each other. According to the insider, they communicate through both group conversations and one-on-ones. Lisa is close to both Jen and Courteney, and they're always in touch with each other.
Communal remembrance and upcoming milestones
According to the source, the actors are all aware of the upcoming birthdays and anniversaries, and the group has been in "ongoing discussions" about how to commemorate the milestone in the finale.
The insider added that they will definitely be commemorating it in some way, saying that Aniston, Cox, Kudrow, LeBlanc, and Schwimmer will probably share a social media post and have a private get-together. September marks the 30th anniversary of the show's debut in 1994.
Whatever else they've accomplished after Friends nothing compares to that, the insider says. Of course, they will recognise Perry for everything he did, and they will still look back on it with a great deal of affection. They wish to perpetuate his legacy. To continue his long-term dedication to assisting others afflicted with addiction, they established the Matthew Perry Foundation in November.
Legacy of Matthew Perry and commitment to his causes
Perry, who in 2013 converted his Malibu home into a sober living facility for men, expressed his desire to be remembered for the things he did to try and help other people in an interview from 2022 that surfaced after his death.
All of Perry's co-stars are justifiably proud of the mark he made in Hollywood and beyond. The insider stated that they are committed to upholding Matthew's values and disseminating his message. So although they are heartbroken by his departure, they find solace in the fact that they were able to spend a significant portion of their lives with an extraordinary individual.
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