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Matthew Perry apologises for asking why Keanu Reeves 'still walks among us'

Matthew Perry speaks during
Matthew Perry has apologised for his comments about Keanu Reeves. (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Matthew Perry has apologised after questioning why Keanu Reeves "still walks among us" in his new book, saying it was a "mistake".

The Friends star, 53, has penned a memoir entitled Friends, Lovers And The Big Terrible Thing, in which he opens up about his widely-publicised substance abuse struggles.

Some excerpts have been shared ahead of the book's release and, according to reports, they include sections where Perry makes comments about Reeves.

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He apparently seemed to have a pop at the actor in one part where he was discussing his late friend River Phoenix, writing: "River was a beautiful man, inside and out - too beautiful for this world, it turned out. It always seems to be the really talented guys who go down. Why is it that the original thinkers like River Phoenix and Heath Ledger die, but Keanu Reeves still walks among us?"

Keanu Reeves ahead of the British Grand Prix 2022 at Silverstone, Towcester. Picture date: Saturday July 2, 2022.
Matthew Perry said he's actually a fan of Keanu Reeves. (PA)

The star - who found fame as Chandler Bing in the hit US show - mentioned The Matrix star Reeves again when talking about comedian and actor Chris Farley.

Farley passed away in 1997 after an overdose.

Writing about the moment that he heard of the star's death, Perry wrote: "I punched a hole through Jennifer Aniston’s dressing room wall when I found out.

"Keanu Reeves walks among us.”

FRIENDS --
Matthew Perry found fame in Friends. (NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)

The comments sparked a backlash online and Perry has now told People in a statement that he was sorry and that he had chosen the name randomly.

"I'm actually a big fan of Keanu," said the actor.

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"I just chose a random name, my mistake. I apologise. I should have used my own name instead."

Phoenix died in 1993 after a drug overdose, aged 23. Ledger died in 2008 at 28 as a result of an accidental overdose of medications.

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