Lisa Kudrow Remembers Matthew Perry's 'Open Heart' in Emotional Tribute
Lisa Kudrow, Matthew Perry
Lisa Kudrow, who brought the character Phoebe Buffay to life in the hit sitcom Friends, paid tribute to co-star and close friend Matthew Perry after his death.
The actress shared an emotional statement about Perry on Instagram on Nov. 15 alongside a photo of the two from early in Friends' run, celebrating the late actor and thanking him for everything he did for her.
Describing how they first met, Kudrow began, "Shot the pilot, Friends Like Us, got picked up then immediately, we were at the NBC Upfronts. Then...You suggested we play poker AND made it so much fun while we initially bonded. Thank you for that."
She went on, "Thank you for making me laugh so hard at something you said, that my muscles ached, and tears poured down my face EVERY DAY. Thank you for your open heart in a six way relationship that required compromise. And a lot of 'talking.' Thank you for showing up at work when you weren’t well and then, being completely brilliant."
"Thank you for the best 10 years a person gets to have. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for all I learned about GRACE and LOVE through knowing you. Thank you for the time I got to have with you, Matthew," Kudrow finished her meaningful message.
Kudrow's individual tribute to Perry comes after the main cast of Friends—including herself, Matt LeBlanc, Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, and David Schwimmer—broke their silence about his death with a joint statement on Monday, Oct. 30.
The statement read: "We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family. There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss."
In the time since, each cast member took time to open up and share their own notes dedicated to Perry, his life and his legacy.
On Nov. 14, LeBlanc was the first to do so, posting photos of the two in Friends and with the full cast later, along with a message commemorating Perry and saying goodbye. Cox followed with her statement shortly after. On Nov. 15, both Schwimmer and Aniston shared their tributes, with Kudrow's dedication the last of the group's to come out.
Perry passed away at the age of 54 on Oct. 28 at his home in Los Angeles, California.
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