Eric Todisco
The one with Lisa Kudrow’s rewatch.
The 60-year-old actress revealed that she’s rewatching “Friends” as a way of honoring her late co-star Matthew Perry, who died at age 54 in October 2023.
“Honestly, I wasn’t able to watch it because it’s too embarrassing to watch yourself,” Kudrow, who played Phoebe Buffay on all 10 seasons of the beloved sitcom, told The Hollywood Reporter.
“But if I make it about Matthew, then that’s okay,” she added. “And it’s just celebrating how hilarious he was — and that is what I want to remember [about him].”
Kudrow said that she’s been “laughing out loud” watching old episodes of the show, which aired its series finale 20 years ago last month.
“Everyone is hilarious. I’m blown away by Courteney Cox. I’m blown away by Jen [Aniston]. Matthew, obviously, is just uniquely hilarious. No one ever knew that cadence or comedic rhythm before him. Matt LeBlanc is hilarious. And David Schwimmer, too. Sometimes I even laugh at what I’ve done,” she said.
“So yeah, I mean, that’s my own little way of celebrating [the anniversaries], just watching it,” the actress added. “But it’s embarrassing. At home, if anyone walks in the room and I’m watching ‘Friends’, that’s a horrible look, I think, don’t you?”
The cast of “Friends” included Kudrow as Phoebe, Perry as Chandler Bing, David Schwimmer as Ross Gellar, Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green, Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani, and Courteney Cox as Monica Gellar.
The series aired on NBC from 1994 to 2004.
Looking back on her 10-year run on the show, Kudrow told THR that her fondest memory is still the bonds she made with her five co-stars.
“You’re just laughing all day long, basically, in between the scenes, because these are funny people,” she said. “And especially someone like Matthew whose goal was: How many laughs can I get in real life every day? So we were always laughing so hard, tears were flying out of our faces.”
The Emmy winner was also asked how she hopes the world remembers Perry.
“I think the world is remembering him the way he wanted to be remembered. I think that’s happening [already],” she answered.
Perry — who struggled with addiction for a good portion of his life — became the first main cast member from “Friends” to die.
He was found submerged and unresponsive in the hot tub at his home in the ritzy Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on October 28.
A number of prescriptions were found in his system including ketamine, which was ruled as the cause of his death.
An investigation into the tragedy is ongoing. It was recently reported that police believe “multiple people” should be charged in connection to the actor’s death, and that the US Attorney’s Office will decide whether to press charges.
The loss of Perry stunned the world, and many fans visited the “Friends” building in New York City to pay tribute to the late actor after he died.
The cast of the show released a joint statement reacting to Perry’s death on October 30.
“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family,” the statement from Kudrow, Aniston, Cox, Schwimmer and LeBlanc began.
“There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss,” they added. “For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”
The five stars later shared individual tributes to Perry on Instagram. Kudrow posted an old photo of the pair on November 15 and looked back on their sweet friendship.
“You suggested we play poker AND made it so much fun while we initially bonded,” she recalled. “Thank you for that. Thank you for making me laugh so hard at something you said, that my muscles ached, and tears poured down my face EVERY DAY.”
She also thanked Perry for “trusting” her and teaching her about “grace” and “love.”
This post was originally posted by NYPost
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