Gwyneth Paltrow Remembers Matthew Perry & Hopes ‘Friends’ Star “Is At Peace At Long Last”
Gwyneth Paltrow is the latest Hollywood star to share anecdotes about Matthew Perry. The Oscar-winner took to social media to recall the time she met the late Friends actor and all the fun times they had together.
“I met Matthew Perry in 1993 at the Williamstown Theater Festival in Massachusetts. We were both there for most of the summer doing plays,” Paltrow recalled. “He was so funny and so sweet and so much fun to be with. We drove out to swim in creeks, had beers in the local college bar, kissed in a field of long grass. It was a magical summer.”
More from Deadline
Matthew Perry Fans Honor ‘Friends’ Star With Tribute Outside Chandler Bing’s Apartment
Matthew Perry's Family Speaks, Thanks All For "Tremendous Outpouring Of Love"
Paltrow remembered that Perry had just “shot the pilot of Friends but it had not aired yet,” revealing that the actor who would go on to play Chandler Bing in the sitcom “was nervous” and “hoping his big break was just around the corner.”
“We stayed friends for a while until we drifted apart, but I was always happy to see him when I did,” she continued. “I am super sad today, as so many of us are. I hope Matthew is at peace at long last. I really do.”
After news of Perry’s death, his family issued a statement to TMZ saying they “are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother. Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend. You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.”
Marta Kauffman and David Crane, co-creators of Friends, alongside producer Kevin Bright, also paid tribute to Perry in a touching statement.
“We will always cherish the joy, the light, the blinding intelligence he brought to every moment – not just to his work, but in life as well,” read the statement. “This truly is The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken.”
Best of Deadline
TV Cancellations Photo Gallery: Series Ending In 2023 & Beyond
Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2023: Photo Gallery & Obituaries
Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.