Matthew Perry Helped ‘Friends’ Casting Director Establish Charity After Her Daughter’s Death

Friends casting director Leslie Litt joined NewsNation Prime last night to remember Matthew Perry. The actor passed away unexpectedly on Saturday at the age of 54, with the cause of death currently “deferred” pending the results of a toxicology exam. His passing stunned fans and industry peers, including his Fools Rush In producer Doug Draizin and his “brother” Hank Azaria, who were among those who flocked to social media to pay tribute to the Friends star.

Litt recalled how, when Perry walked into her office to audition for the role of Chandler Bing, she instantly realized he “had something special.” As the cast and crew skyrocketed to success, she says they became a “family.” So when personal tragedy struck, Perry was right by her side.

When Litt and her husband had an infant daughter with special needs who required surgery, the child unfortunately did not survive the operation. The couple decided to form a fundraiser benefiting special needs children, and she managed to work up the courage to ask Perry to host. The star agreed without a moment’s hesitation.

“We sold out the event, he did publicity, [and] it became an annual event,” Litt said. “I asked Matt every year, like getting up my nerve, ‘Will you host again?’”

“This is the memory I’ll always have,” Litt continued. “During the very last episode of Friends, when the last scene was shot and everyone was on the floor hugging and crying, Matthew turned to me and said, ‘I know I won’t see you every day, but you don't have to ask me any more. I’m there for you. I will always host it.'"

Perry was “a huge part” of the fundraiser “for over a decade,” Litt said, specifying that she was sharing the story due to the actor’s desire to be remembered for his charitable causes rather than his acting work. “He was our spokesperson, and he loved the children and the families we helped … That was his favorite night of the year.”

Despite his innate talents and always being present for others, she lamented, “I don’t know that he really knew how much he was loved.” When asked by the host if she believed Perry would be surprised by the response to his death, Litt replied: “I think so, [but] he deserved it.”