Lisa Kudrow, known for her iconic role as Phoebe Buffay in the hit series Friends, has found a tender way to cope with the loss of her friend and co-star, Matthew Perry. In a heartfelt moment during a recent interview, Kudrow shared that she is rewatching episodes of the beloved sitcom in honor of Perry.
Kudrow revealed, Honestly, I wasn’t able to watch it because it’s too embarrassing to watch yourself. But if I make it about Matthew, then that’s OK. And it’s just celebrating how hilarious he was—and that is what I want to remember [about him]
. This introspective ritual helps Kudrow relive and cherish the moments they shared.
This is so amazing after eight years and the last three hours and 10 minutes
, said David Crane, co-creator and executive producer of Friends, while accepting an award—a sentiment that captures the magical run of the series.
Kudrow fondly remembers how funny and supportive the entire cast was, including Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, and especially Perry. She highlighted their off-screen camaraderie, stating Matthew had a knack for making everyone feel at ease around him so that we could all give the best performances possible
.
The actress reminisced about Perry’s unique sense of humor and contagious laughter by sharing an anecdote: He would often attempt to get as many laughs in real life every day as possible
. This reflects the joy he brought both on set and off.
The profound impact of Perry’s death in October 2023 due to substance abuse issues continues to resonate deeply among his co-stars. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed that Perry’s death was caused by acute effects of ketamine.
The core six friends—Kudrow, Cox, Aniston, LeBlanc, Schwimmer, and Perry—reunited at the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards. Their bond went beyond just professional relationships; they formed a family against the backdrop of one of TV’s most successful comedies. They collectively conveyed their grief through a public statement, expressing their pain and reiterating their love for Perry.
Kudrow later shared a personal note acknowledging Perry’s impact on her life: Thank you for making me laugh so hard at something you said that my muscles ached, and tears poured down my face EVERY DAY. Thank you for your open heart in a six-way relationship that required compromise
. She further added, Thank you for showing up at work when you weren’t well and then being completely brilliant
.
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