Matthew Perry had a tearful reunion with his fellow Friends stars two years before his death on Saturday.
During the HBO special celebrating Friends, Perry – who played Chandler Bing – broke down in tears after an outpouring of love from his co-stars, including Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc.
After his wife Cox reminisced on-screen: “It was an incredible time. We became best friends,” Perry admitted, “Yes, I’m going to cry now.”
The iconic comedy actor died aged 54 after ‘drowning in his jacuzzi at home’, sources have told DailyMail.com.
No drugs were found at the scene and there are no indications of foul play.
Emotional: Matthew Perry had a tearful reunion with his Friends co-stars two years before his death on Saturday; seen at the reunion with Jennifer Aniston
Gone too soon: Iconic comedy actor died at 54 after ‘drowning in his jacuzzi at home’, sources told DailyMail.com; seen in 2022
Perry lowered his head and wrapped his arms around his body, looking solemn as Aniston leaned in to comfort him.
The series lasted ten seasons and premiered in 1994. The series finale, which aired in 2004, broke records with more than 50 million viewers.
During the reunion, Matthew admitted that before winning the role, he only had $11 to his name, as his career had hit rock bottom and had appeared in several short-lived sitcoms.
After launching the show, he said he would have panic attacks about learning his lines amid his battles with mental health and addiction.
He also revealed that his favorite episode was The One Where Everybody Finds Out, where the gang discovered Chandler and Monica’s relationship, with some very funny scenarios playing out.
Days before the premiere, Perry had told Good Morning America, “Reuniting this cast again — I knew it was going to be a very seriously emotional experience. And that’s what it has been.’
“I don’t think any of us had any idea how emotional we would be when we walked onto the set,” Courteney added.
“The truth is, I didn’t cry when I walked onto the set,” Kudrow, who played Phoebe Buffay, admitted. “And now I can’t stop.”
Outpouring: On the HBO special celebrating Friends, Perry – who played Chandler Bing – broke down in tears after an outpouring of love from his co-stars, including Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc
Big hit: the series lasted ten seasons and premiered in 1994. The final episode, which aired in 2004, broke records with more than 50 million viewers
During the reunion, Matthew admitted that before he got the part, he only had $11 to his name as his career had hit rock bottom and had appeared in several short-lived sitcoms.
“Floodgates open,” Aniston agreed.
Matthew’s tearful performance at the reunion was in stark contrast to his character Chandler, who famously admitted he couldn’t cry, leaving his wife Monica Geller on a mission to induce tears.
Season six, episode 14 of Friends was called The One Where Chandler Can’t Cry and aired in February 2000.
After admitting that he hasn’t cried since childhood, Monica, Phoebe (Lisa) and Joey (Matt) do everything they can to get him to do so, including sitting him down to watch Bambi and Monica ask him to to imagine her death.
After the gang determines that Chandler must be “dead inside,” he surprises everyone by bursting into tears after witnessing a meeting between Ross (David Schwimmer) and Rachel (Aniston), wondering why they were there couldn’t be romantic.
The Friends reunion was a homecoming for the actors, who filmed the special at Stage 24 at Warner Bros. Studios in LA, where the series filmed its entire ten seasons.
Far cry: Matthew’s tearful display at the reunion was a far cry from his character Chandler, who famously admitted he couldn’t cry, leaving his wife Monica Geller on a mission to induce tears
Homecoming: The Friends reunion was a homecoming for the actors, who filmed the special at Stage 24 at Warner Bros. Studios in LA, where the series filmed its entire 10-season run
The special was filmed on site over three days, with the show’s iconic fountain used as the backdrop for the cast’s main interview, which was hosted by Late Late Show’s James Corden.
Law enforcement sources said the actor was found Saturday in a Los Angeles home after first responders were called to the scene for cardiac arrest.
The Los Angeles Times reported that authorities responded to his home around 4 p.m., where he was discovered unresponsive.
A source told the outlet that there were signs of foul play, and that robbery-homicide detectives are investigating his death.