Jennifer Aniston recently found herself overwhelmed with emotion during an interview when the topic of re-watching “Friends” came up. The beloved NBC sitcom, which aired from 1994 to 2004, catapulted Aniston and her co-stars, including the late Matthew Perry, to stardom.
During a segment for Variety’s Actors on Actors series, Aniston was paired with Quinta Brunson. Before Brunson could ask her about the experience of watching “Friends” now, Aniston preemptively responded, “Oh God, don’t make me cry.” She then paused, visibly emotional, and requested a tissue.
Matthew Perry, who played Chandler Bing on the show, passed away unexpectedly on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office later ruled his death an accident.
Brunson, sensing Aniston’s distress, offered to skip the question, but Aniston insisted on continuing. “No, I’m OK. It’s happy tears,” she said, wiping her eyes. She then collected herself and responded to Brunson’s observation that “Friends” was turning 30. “And I’m turning 30… what a coincidence,” Aniston joked.
Reflecting on the show’s longevity, Aniston remarked, “It’s so strange to even think that it’s 30 years old. I remember the day it was going to premiere on NBC. Matthew Perry and I were having lunch, and we knew Lisa was getting her hair colored. We ran into the salon, and I snuck up and started washing her hair. The excitement we had, it feels like yesterday.”
Aniston and Brunson’s conversation, as transcribed by Variety, continued without the tearful moment. Aniston expressed gratitude for the show’s enduring impact. “The fact that it’s had this long, wonderful life and it still means a lot to people is one of the greatest gifts. All six of us never could have imagined it,” she said. “We see each other. I talked on FaceTime with Courteney last night for an hour, and Lisa and the boys. It’s a family forever.”
Following Perry’s death, Aniston and the rest of the “Friends” cast have spoken about their close bond. Aniston posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, writing that the entire cast “loved him deeply.” She described Perry as an integral part of their “chosen family” that forever changed their lives.
“He made all of us laugh. And laugh hard,” Aniston wrote. “Matty, I love you so much and I know you are now completely at peace and out of any pain. I talk to you every day… sometimes I can almost hear you saying ‘could you BE any crazier?’ Rest little brother. You always made my day.”
