Julia Roberts reflects on Friends cameo: Here's what other celebrities had to say about Matthew Perry's passing
The actress is contemplating the heartbreaking passing of her former boyfriend, Matthew Perry.
Updated : December 05, 2023 01:35 PM ISTThe actress is contemplating the heartbreaking passing of her former boyfriend, Matthew Perry.
![Julia Roberts (Source: CNN)](https://imagesv2.desimartini.com/images/202307/julia-roberts-1690796343.jpeg?width=800&quality=50&format=webp)
Julia Roberts (Source: CNN)
Julia Roberts is contemplating the "heartbreaking" loss of Matthew Perry. In a recent interview with ET's Kevin Frazier, the 56-year-old actress shared her thoughts on Perry's untimely death, reflecting on her brief stint on Friends.
Coping with Loss
Roberts expressed "all good thoughts and feelings" about her experience on the beloved sitcom, where she guest-starred as a childhood classmate of Perry's Chandler Bing in the 1996 episode, "The One After the Super Bowl." Perry later revealed in his 2022 memoir that, off-camera, he and Roberts had engaged in a "three-month-long courtship" during that time.
"The sudden passing of anybody so young is heartbreaking," remarked Roberts about her ex. She emphasized the importance of appreciating what one has and moving forward in a positive manner. Notably, Friends references are a recurring theme in Roberts' latest film, Leave the World Behind. The apocalyptic thriller, featuring Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, and Myha'la, is currently in theaters and will be available for streaming on Netflix starting December 8.
'Friends' Guest Stars Mourn the Sudden Death
Aisha Tyler, known for her roles as both Joey's (Matt LeBlanc) and Ross's (David Schwimmer) love interest, Charlie Wheeler, in "Friends" Seasons 9 and 10, shared her memories of Perry on Instagram. She recalled his unparalleled gentleness and generosity of spirit, noting that she learned the art of telling a perfect joke just by observing him at work.
Christina Ricci, known for her portrayal of Joey's sister Mary-Theresa in Season 1 of the show, expressed her sentiments about Perry's death on Instagram. She shared, "I burst into tears when I read the news today. I never met Matthew Perry, but I loved him." Reflecting on the impact of "Friends" in her life, the "Wednesday" star acknowledged how the show had been a source of solace during challenging and lonely moments.
Hank Azaria, renowned for his role as David, Phoebe's (Lisa Kudrow) on-and-off love interest in "Friends," shared heartfelt words about Perry in a video posted on Instagram on Sunday. Reflecting on their friendship, Azaria noted that Matthew Perry was the first friend he made when he moved to Los Angeles at the age of 21, highlighting Perry as "the funniest man ever."
Maggie Wheeler, famed for her role as Chandler's on-again, off-again girlfriend Janice with a distinctive laugh, expressed her condolences on Instagram. She shared her thoughts, stating, "What a loss. The world will miss you, Matthew Perry. The joy you brought to so many in your too-short lifetime will live on. I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared."
Selma Blair, known for her role as Wendy in the show's ninth season, posted on Instagram about Matthew Perry. She expressed her deep affection, calling him her "oldest boy friend," and shared the profound impact he had on her. Blair wrote, "All of us loved Matthew Perry, and I did especially. Every day. I loved him unconditionally. And he me. And I’m broken. Broken-hearted. Sweet dreams Matty. Sweet dreams."
Kathleen Turner, renowned for her role as Chandler's transgender father, shared memories of the good times she had with her TV son in an interview with People on Monday. Recalling a moment from her Broadway show, Turner revealed, "He came to see one of my Broadway shows and he came backstage. When he saw me, he yelled out, ‘Hey dad,’ and everyone thought it was pretty cool. I think it was for ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.’”
Morgan Fairchild, who took on the role of Chandler’s mom on “Friends,” made an appearance on “CNN This Morning” on Monday. Reflecting on her time working with the late Matthew Perry, she shared, "The show was not a huge hit yet when I started working on it.
" Recounting a memorable encounter, Fairchild described Perry bounding over to her like a big puppy and mentioning how he used to visit her on the sets of 'Flamingo Road' and 'Falcon Crest' with his dad. Describing Perry as "warm," "wonderful," "funny," and "creative," Fairchild expressed her surprise at realizing it had been almost 30 years since they worked together.