Actor Matthew Perry, who sadly passed away at the age of 54, was laid to rest on Friday in a Los Angeles cemetery. The funeral service was attended by his relatives and castmates from the popular 90s sitcom “Friends,” according to reports from show business media.
The mourners gathered at the Forest Lawn cemetery in the Hollywood Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, which is located near the Warner Brothers studio where the show was filmed. The cemetery is also the final resting place for many Hollywood A-listers, including Michael Jackson, Lucille Ball, and Elizabeth Taylor.
Matthew Perry, known for his role as Chandler Bing on “Friends” from 1994 to 2004, was found dead in his Los Angeles home. His death has caused an outpouring of grief from fans and fellow celebrities.
In a joint message, the five surviving co-stars of “Friends” paid tribute to their late castmate, expressing their sorrow over his “unfathomable loss.”
Media outlets, including TMZ and the New York Post’s Page Six, reported on Friday’s event and shared photographs taken from a distance and from the air.
All five “Friends” co-stars – Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer – were present at the funeral, according to TMZ. Page Six also mentioned the presence of Perry’s father, John Bennett Perry, and his stepfather, Keith Morrison.
Approximately 20 people dressed in black attended the funeral and gathered around a burial plot, as reported by TMZ. Forest Hills, the cemetery, has not confirmed these details in response to Reuters’ request.
In a joint statement, the “Friends” co-stars expressed their devastation and stated that they will have more to say in the future.
The cause and manner of Perry’s death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office after completing an autopsy and toxicology tests.
Perry’s memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” which detailed his struggle with addiction to prescription painkillers and alcohol, was published one year prior to his death. At the time, Perry claimed to have been sober for about 18 months.
On the same day as the funeral, the Matthew Perry Foundation was launched to support individuals battling addiction. The foundation’s website states that it will honor Perry’s legacy and be guided by his own words and experiences, with the goal of making a difference in as many lives as possible.
The website leads with a quote from Perry in which he emphasizes his desire to be remembered for his efforts to help others rather than his role on “Friends.”
Reported by Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad, California, and Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Edited by Jamie Freed
