The co-creators of the hit TV show “Friends,” Marta Kauffman and David Crane, shared their final interactions with series star Matthew Perry, who passed away on October 28 at the age of 54, during an interview on the “Today” show this Wednesday morning.
Kauffman revealed that she had spoken to Perry just two weeks ago and described their conversation as great. She mentioned that he seemed happy and in good spirits, not burdened by anything. She expressed her shock and disbelief regarding his sudden demise, stating that it felt incredibly unfair given how well he seemed to be doing.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Perry was found dead in the hot tub of his home in Los Angeles, with no evidence of foul play. Upon receiving the news, Kauffman experienced utter shock and expressed her initial impulse to reach out to Perry. She struggled to grasp the fact that someone so full of life and making a positive impact in the world could suddenly be gone.
During the interview, host Hoda Kotb pointed out that Perry’s death may not have come as a surprise to some, considering his history with substance abuse. Crane acknowledged the awareness they had of Perry’s struggles and commented on how his passing was still difficult to believe, given his vibrant personality.
However, Kauffman clarified that Perry was sober at the time of his death. She described him as being in a better state than she had seen him in a while and expressed her joy in witnessing his emotional well-being and physical transformation, such as quitting smoking and maintaining sobriety.
In one of his final interviews, Perry expressed his desire to be remembered not only for his role in “Friends,” but also for his efforts in helping others struggling with addiction. He emphasized that he wanted his impact in the world to be acknowledged beyond his fame. Crane agreed with this sentiment, stating that Perry’s purpose and reason for being had become centered around making a difference.
To watch the full clip from the “Today” show, please see below.
