Jennifer Aniston Breaks Silence Regarding Matthew Perry’s Passing: “There’s a Part Of Me That Thinks This Is Better”
Jennifer Aniston recently shared her heartfelt thoughts in an interview with Vanity Fair on the passing of her Friends co-star Matthew Perry. The beloved show, which brought joy to millions, had a deeper meaning for Aniston than she fully realized until the 2021 Friends reunion.
During the reunion, fans from all over the world spoke about how the show helped them learn English or gave them comfort during tough times. Aniston reflected on this, saying, “What helped raise me is something I got to put into the world and help other people. If [Friends] was the only thing on my résumé, I would be very happy and blessed.” She acknowledged that Friends was not just a hit TV show, but something that connected deeply with people’s lives.
Sadly, in 2023, Matthew Perry passed away at the age of 54. He was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his home in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles on October 28, and died the same day. The cause of death was later revealed as the acute effects of ketamine, with drowning and coronary artery disease also contributing. According to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner, “at the high levels of ketamine found in his post-mortem blood specimens, the main lethal effects would be from both cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression.”
They also noted that the ketamine in Perry’s system could not have come from his ongoing ketamine-assisted therapy, which he was using to treat anxiety.
Jennifer Aniston opened up about the struggle Perry faced with addiction, saying, “We did everything we could when we could,” referring to the efforts they all made to help him. Perry himself wrote about the support from his friends in his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.
Aniston added, “But it almost felt like we’d been mourning Matthew for a long time because his battle with that disease was a really hard one for him to fight. As hard as it was for all of us and for the fans, there’s a part of me that thinks this is better. I’m glad he’s out of that pain.” Her words show the pain felt by those close to him and the relief that his suffering has ended.
After his death, the Matthew Perry Foundation was established by the National Philanthropic Trust to help people struggling with addiction.
In 2024, an investigation into Perry’s death uncovered that he had been getting ketamine from illegal sources. Five people were charged, including Perry’s personal assistant, two doctors, and two drug dealers.
The accused have admitted guilt or are in the process of doing so. U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada revealed that Perry had paid $55,000 in cash to two doctors for ketamine in the two months before he died. Text messages showed a network of people supplying the drug, including one of the doctors who purchased ketamine from another medical professional.
Matthew Perry’s tragic death highlights the ongoing battle many face with addiction and the risks involved. Jennifer Aniston’s words remind us of the human side of this loss and the deep connection the Friends cast shared through their years together. Perry’s life and struggles continue to inspire efforts to help others through the foundation set up in his name.
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