Minnie Driver just lately shared a heartfelt tribute to Matthew Perry, her co-star in the 2003 London manufacturing of “Sexual Perversity in Chicago.”
In an essay for the Guardian, the “Good Will Hunting” star mirrored on Matthew’s character, evaluating his real-life persona to the beloved “Friends” character Chandler Bing, whom he famously portrayed.
Minnie remembered Matthew as a beacon of positivity, stating, “The thing about him was he was like a light. He was one of those people who just made other people feel good.”
She marveled at how Matthew, regardless of his inner battles, managed to not burden others together with his ache. “Somehow, they don’t suck you down into their sadness, or their pain, and I know now that his pain was great,” she expressed.
© GettyMatthew, who struggled with substance abuse and despair, handed away on October 28 at the age of 54 after drowning in his scorching tub.
His dying was attributed to “acute effects of ketamine” blended with buprenorphine, a drug used for opioid habit remedy and ache aid.
© GettyMinnie mirrored on Matthew’s candid memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir,” revealing the problem she had in studying it on account of the extent of his struggling. “[I] had to put it down and pick it up again — it felt unbearable, how much he suffered,” she wrote.
Despite the challenges he confronted, Matthew discovered solace in sharing his story. Minnie recalled him telling her that his e-book “exorcised [his demons] in a way.” She expressed her gratitude that Matthew experienced the love and appreciation people had for his work beyond “Friends.”
During their time together in London, Minnie observed that Matthew was in a “good place.” She fondly reminisced about their days in Hyde Park, enjoying ice creams and watching tennis at Wimbledon, rushing back to the theater for their performances on motorbikes.
© Getty“We had that perfect feeling of enjoying England in the summertime,” she stated, highlighting the lighter moments they shared.
Minnie additionally touched upon Matthew’s wrestle with being typecast as Chandler Bing. “‘Some people only want Chandler, and I don’t know that I’m allowed to be anything other than that,'” she quoted him. She acknowledged the complex relationship he had with his iconic role, which he cherished yet felt confined by.
Reflecting on the challenges of fame and addiction, Minnie wrote, “I also think if you struggle with addiction and you have this extraordinary, rarefied life where people love you so completely, it’s always difficult to come to terms with the possibility of your fallibility.”
© Getty ImagesIn her essay, Minnie painted an image of Matthew as not solely humorous and charming but in addition profoundly soulful. “He was that funny, charming and self-deprecating, but also much more. He had such a wealth of soul,” she concluded.
Following his passing, Minnie paid tribute to Matthew on Instagram, sharing a photograph of him with a heat grin. “I think you’d finally found peace in your life,” she captioned, remembering the laughter and kindness they shared.
In an interview on the “Q with Tom Power” podcast in November 2022, Matthew expressed his want to be remembered not only for his function on “Friends” however as an individual who lived and liked properly and sought to assist others.
“I would like to be remembered as somebody who lived well, loved well, was a seeker,” he stated. “And his paramount thing is that he wants to help people. That’s what I want.”
He prided himself on with the ability to provide assist to these combating habit, saying, “The best thing about me, bar none, is that if somebody comes to me and says, ‘I can’t stop drinking, can you help me?’ I can say, ‘Yes,’ and follow up and do it.”
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