Entertainment
Jennifer Aniston Tearfully Reflects on “Friends” Turning 30
Clear Facts
- Jennifer Aniston became emotional discussing the 30th anniversary of “Friends” following the death of co-star Matthew Perry during a conversation with Quinta Brunson for the “Actors on Actors” series.
- Matthew Perry passed away on October 28 due to an apparent drowning at his California home. His autopsy report revealed that the cause of his death was the “acute effects of ketamine,” along with other contributing factors.
- During the conversation with Brunson, Aniston reminisced about the day “Friends” premiered and shared that the cast continues to be very close, especially after Perry’s loss.
Jennifer Aniston, the highly regarded actress, showed her emotional side during a conversation about the iconic ’90s sitcom “Friends.” The approaching 30th anniversary of the show, along with the recent loss of Matthew Perry, moved her to tears.
Quinta Brunson, star of “Abbott Elementary,” asked Aniston about her emotions when watching the show three decades later and without Perry.
“Oh God, don’t make me cry!” Aniston exclaimed.
“I won’t, we won’t make each other cry,” Brunson assured her. “But you’re already crying,” she noted. “Do you need a minute? We don’t have to talk about [it.]”
“Sorry, I just started thinking about . . . ” Aniston trailed off, hinting at the loss of her co-star and friend, Perry. “It’s happy tears,” she clarified, and quickly recomposed herself, “Okay, and we’re back!”
Perry, beloved for his role as Chandler Bing in the sitcom, passed away on October 28. The cause of his death was due to an apparent drowning in his California home. He was 54 at the time of his passing.
The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner completed Perry’s autopsy the next day. The cause of death was initially listed as “deferred,” pending toxicology results.
The actor’s death was later attributed to the “acute effects of ketamine,” with “coronary artery disease and buprenorphrine effects” also considered contributing factors, according to his autopsy report. Authorities found “prescription medications and loose pills” at Perry’s home, but no “Alcohol, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, PCP, fentanyl” was detected.
During the heartfelt discussion, Aniston reminisced about the day “Friends” first aired. “It’s so strange to even think that it’s 30 years old, because it just was – I remember the day that it was going to premiere on television,” Aniston shared.
She also mentioned a funny story involving Perry and Lisa Kudrow. “Matthew Perry and I were having lunch somewhere, and we knew Lisa was getting her hair colored. So, we ran into the hair salon, and I snuck up, and she was in the sink . . . and I took the nozzle and just started washing her hair from the guy that was supposed to be doing it. That quickly got out of hand, and that was unfortunate,” she laughed.
Aniston noted the enduring impact of the show saying, “The fact that it’s had this long, wonderful life, and it still means a lot to people is one of the greatest gifts I think all … six of us ever – we never could have imagined.”
Aniston starred in the iconic show alongside Perry, Kudrow, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, and Matt LeBlanc. They all were between the ages of 25 and 31 during the first season of “Friends.”
The group has remained closely connected following Perry’s death. “We see each other,” Aniston revealed to Brunson. “I facetimed [Courteney Cox] last night for like an hour and Lisa and the boys, and we have a very close-knit – it’s a family forever.”
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