Actor Matthew Perry, who passed away on Saturday, October 28, at the age of 54, had his funeral on Friday at a Los Angeles cemetery in front of family members and co-stars of the popular sitcom Friends from the 1990s.
Less than a mile from the Warner Brothers studio where the show was taped, mourners congregated at the Hollywood Hills neighbourhood's Forest Lawn cemetery. Several A-list celebrities from Hollywood, such as Elizabeth Taylor, Lucille Ball, and Michael Jackson, have their final resting places there as well.
People reported that Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox and Lisa Kudrow all convened for the event. Perry’s father John Bennett Perry, as well as his stepfather Keith Morrison, were seen outdoors, according to the New York Post.
Perry died on October 28 at the age of 54. Two days later, his Friends co-stars released a joint statement mourning their fellow cast member.
"We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew," the five said in the statement. "We were more than just cast mates. We are a family. There is so much to say, but right now we're going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss."
"In time we will say more, as and when we are able. For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty's family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world," Perry's co-stars added.
A foundation in the actor’s name was established earlier on Friday morning, accepting donations to help those struggling with addiction.
"When I die, I don't want Friends to be the first thing that's mentioned - I want helping others to be the first thing that's mentioned," Perry said on the Q With Tom Power podcast in 2022, promoting his memoir Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing.
"I'm going to live the rest of my life proving that. Addiction is far too powerful for anyone to defeat alone. But together, one day at a time, we can beat it down," Perry said.
