Jennifer Aniston Details Last Day Of Matthew Perry Alive: 'He Was Happy'
Jennifer Aniston is opening up about how Matthew Perry was doing before his shocking death in late October.
In her first interview since her beloved "Friends" co-star's passing, the 54-year-old actress got emotional as she shared insights into Perry's life leading up to his untimely death and detailed her last exchange with him.
"He had quit smoking. He was getting in shape. He was happy -- that's all I know," Aniston told Variety.
Aniston emphasized that Perry, who struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for years, hadn't relapsed.
"I was literally texting with him that morning, funny Matty. He was not in pain. He wasn't struggling. He was happy," she revealed.
Matthew Perry attends the GQ Men of the Year Party 2022 at The West Hollywood EDITION on November 17, 2022 in West Hollywood, California.
Despite being "dealt a tough one," Perry had "worked so hard" to get healthy, according to the "Murder Mystery" actress.
She added that she hopes he is remembered as a man who lived well and helped others.
"I miss him dearly. We all do. Boy, he made us laugh really hard," Aniston told the publication.
Highlighting Perry's significant contribution to "Friends," Aniston credited him for creating Chandler Bing's distinctive manner of speaking, which played a crucial role in defining the character.
"His way of speaking created a whole different world," she remarked.
Perry died on Oct. 28 at the age of 54, with the official cause of death pending toxicology results.
The actor, best known for his role as Chandler Bing in all 236 episodes of "Friends," had candidly shared his struggles with sobriety in his 2022 memoir, "Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir."
Days after Perry's death, a private memorial was held in Los Angeles, attended by family and friends.
At the time, anonymous sources told Page Six that Aniston had been deeply affected by the loss and attended the funeral while coping with the double blow of Perry's passing and the anniversary of her father's death.
Aniston and her other "Friends" co-stars, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, and Lisa Kudrow, later paid tribute to Perry on their respective social media accounts.
"Matty, I love you so much, and I know you are now completely at peace and out of any pain," Aniston wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of her with Perry. "I talk to you every day... sometimes I can almost hear you saying, 'Could you BE any crazier?' Rest, little brother. You always made my day."
A foundation was established in Perry's name to assist individuals struggling with addiction, ensuring his legacy continues to make a positive impact.
Cast Members Of "Friends." Pictured (L To R): David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, Lisa Kudrow And Matt Leblanc.
