Hank Azaria Pays Tribute to Friend Matthew Perry Tragic Passing In a heartfelt Instagram video, actor Hank Azaria mourned the loss of his dear friend, Matthew Perry, who tragically passed away from an apparent drowning at his Los Angeles home. Azaria shared their deep and enduring friendship that began when he moved to Los Angeles at the age of 21, and Perry was just 16. He fondly remembered Perry as “the funniest man ever.”
Azaria recalled their close bond, describing them as more like brothers in their early days in LA. They shared laughter and even struggled together, particularly with drinking. He recounted how he and Perry were there for each other as they embarked on their careers.
Matthew Perry’s battles with addiction, as detailed in his 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing,” deeply affected Azaria, who is a recovering alcoholic himself. Azaria mentioned that Perry helped him begin his journey to sobriety by taking him to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings during his first year of sobriety. He expressed his wish that Perry could have found a more consistent path to a sober life.
Azaria praised Perry’s incredible comedic talents, highlighting how he lived to make people laugh. Perry had an uncanny ability to weave comedy threads together, creating uproarious laughter by the end of the night.
Azaria concluded the tribute by lamenting the loss of what Perry’s future career might have held. He believed the world had yet to see the full extent of Perry’s brilliance as an actor.
Matthew Perry openly shared his struggle with alcoholism and addiction. His candidness and his willingness to reveal the darkness of his journey were meant to help others facing similar challenges.
Perry believed that by sharing his story, he could provide support and solace to those grappling with addiction. His story also served as a stark reminder that this disease affects people from all walks of life, regardless of their success or fame.
Azaria, who had auditions for the role of Joey on “Friends” and watched it evolve into a massive phenomenon, ultimately became a recurring character, David, the boyfriend of Phoebe Buffay, in later seasons. His deep friendship with Perry persisted throughout the years.
Also read: Kendall Jenner Halloween Gala in the Heart of Los Angeles
Our Reader’s Queries
What did Matthew Perry pass away from?
Actor Matthew Perry, 54, passed away due to the immediate impact of the anesthetic ketamine, the autopsy results revealed on Friday. (AP)
What did Matthew Perry struggle with in his life?
In 1997, he checked into a Hazelden Betty Ford facility in Minnesota for 28 days of rehab. Unfortunately, he didn’t manage to stay clean for long. In May 2000, he ended up at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles due to pancreatitis, a dangerous inflammation of the pancreas caused by alcohol abuse. This illness has the potential to be fatal.
What has Matt LeBlanc said about Matthew Perry’s death?
In a heartfelt Instagram post on Monday (see below), LeBlanc opened with, Matthew, it is with a heavy heart I bid farewell. The times we spent together are truly some of the best moments of my life.