LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former “Friends” star Matthew Perry once praised his co-star Jennifer Aniston for her unwavering support during his battle with addiction. Perry, who tragically passed away over the weekend at the age of 54, spoke about the crucial role Aniston played in helping him stay sober. In an interview in October 2022, the actor expressed his gratitude for Aniston, who was the first to confront him about his alcoholism while they were filming the hit sitcom.

Perry revealed that Aniston reached out to him the most and he credited her for being there for him. He acknowledged the fear he felt when she approached him about his drinking habits. Despite his success on the show, Perry disclosed that he was struggling with addiction, often finding himself in dark places and surrounded by drug dealers.

The beloved actor chronicled his journey in his memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” where he shared his struggles with addiction that started at a young age. He opened up about the escalating addiction under the pressure of fame and the toll it took on his life. Perry’s dependency on alcohol was eventually supplemented with an addiction to pain medication following an accident while filming a movie.

His death came as a shock to his former colleagues, friends, fans, and family. Tributes poured in from all over the world, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau remembering Perry as a joyful presence in their school days. Many of his fellow actors also shared their loving memories and condolences.

Matthew Perry’s passing marks a tragic loss in the entertainment industry. He will be remembered for his iconic role as Chandler Bing on “Friends,” as well as his candidness about his struggles with addiction. The support and friendship he received from Jennifer Aniston during his darkest moments will also be memorialized.