Friends Cast Mourning Matthew Perry Before 2023 Death

Jennifer Aniston and the cast of "Friends" had been mourning Matthew Perry for a long time prior to his death in October 2023, as he struggled with addiction. Aniston expressed relief that Perry is now out of pain, acknowledging the difficulty of his battle with substance abuse, which included attendance at thousands of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and multiple stints in rehab. Perry's passing from a ketamine overdose deeply affected his co-stars, with Matt LeBlanc reportedly becoming a kinder and more patient person following the loss. The cast shared a joint statement expressing devastation, and Aniston personally referred to Perry as her "brother," reflecting on their close bond and the emotional impact of his death. Perry was receiving ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety, but the fatal ketamine was not from his prescribed treatment, leading to charges against individuals involved in distributing the drug. The "Friends" cast's grief highlights the challenges of addiction and the enduring connections formed during their time on the iconic series.