Matthew Perry’s loved ones gathered to honor his memory at his funeral on Friday.
The beloved actor and author, known for his iconic role as Chandler Bing in He died on October 28 at age 54 at his home in Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles.
perry’s ex Friends Co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer attended the funeral at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, near Warner Bros. Studios, where the hit NBC comedy was filmed, People reported.
Perry’s father, John Bennett Perry, and stepfather, Keith Morrison, were also seen at the two-hour funeral, Deadline reported.
first Friends The cast previously issued a joint statement to People sharing their sadness over the loss of their friend and former co-star, who was found dead by authorities in their hot tub.
“We are all absolutely devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just co-stars. We are Family. “There is a lot to say, but now let’s take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss,” the group wrote in the statement. “Over time we will say more, when we can. For now, our thoughts and love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”
Several other former castmates and friends have shared how much Perry meant to them. Bradley Whitford, who co-starred with Perry in Aaron Sorkin’s 2006 series. Studio 60 on Sunset Stripspoke of Perry’s “huge, open heart and joyous, pyrotechnic brain” in an Instagram post, noting that “the most beautiful parts of Matt made him the most vulnerable to the monster he would have to fight for the rest of his life.” “. “
Salma Hayek, who co-starred with Perry in the romantic comedy. Fools rushshared in his own post that he would “continue to appreciate” the actor’s “silly” and “charming heart.”
While the cause of death has not yet been revealed, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that an autopsy has been completed, according to People. However, the cause of death is “deferred” as it is “pending further investigation.” No illicit drugs were found at the scene, the Los Angeles Times reported. No foul play is suspected to have played a role in his death.
On Friday, before the funeral, the creation of the Matthew Perry Foundation was announced. Sponsored and maintained by the public charity National Philanthropic Trust, the organization will work to help those struggling with addiction, which Perry spoke and wrote candidly about in his 2022 memoir. Friends, lovers and the great terrible thing. The charity is already up and running and accepting donations, and will be “guided by [Perry’s] own words and experiences and driven by his passion to make a difference in as many lives as possible.”
“In the spirit of Matthew Perry’s long-standing commitment to helping others struggling with the disease of addiction, we embarked on a journey to honor his legacy by establishing the Matthew Perry Foundation, guided by his own words and experiences and driven “for his passion for making a difference in as many lives as possible,” reads a statement from the foundation.
Perry previously spoke at length about how he hoped to be remembered for his mission to help others struggling with drug and alcohol addiction.
“When I die, as far as my so-called achievements are concerned, it would be nice if Friends “They were listed far behind the things I did to try to help other people,” he said in a November 2022 episode of Q with Tom Power podcast. “I know it won’t happen, but it would be nice.”
He went on to say that “the best thing about me, bar none, is that if an alcoholic or drug addict comes up to me and says, ‘Will you help me?’ “I can say yes and follow up and do it.”
