Jennifer Aniston Opens Up Regarding Matthew Perry’s Passing: “I’m Glad He’s Out of That Pain”

Jennifer Aniston recently opened up about the loss of her close friend and Friends co-star Matthew Perry in an interview with Vanity Fair.

She revealed that the pain of his passing had been felt long before his death, as they had been struggling with his battle against addiction for many years. Aniston said, “We did everything we could when we could,” referring to the efforts made to support Perry during his difficult times.

She also added, “It almost felt like we’d been mourning Matthew for a long time because his battle with that disease was a really hard one for him to fight.” Looking thoughtful, she expressed relief that he was finally free from his pain, saying, “I’m glad he’s out of that pain.”

Matthew Perry, who was 54 years old, was found unresponsive in his hot tub at his home in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, on October 28, 2023. Sadly, he passed away that same day. The news shocked fans around the world and brought an outpouring of grief from his Friends co-stars, who had been by his side through thick and thin.

The Friends reunion in 2021 was a bittersweet moment for the cast and fans alike. It was a chance to celebrate the show’s huge impact, but it also reminded everyone of the personal struggles behind the scenes.

During the reunion, international fans shared stories of how Friends helped them learn English or gave them comfort during hard times. Aniston reflected on this, saying, “What helped raise me is something I got to put into the world and help other people. If [Friends] was the only thing on my résumé, I would be very happy and blessed.”

Matthew Perry’s death was officially ruled as caused by the acute effects of ketamine, with drowning and coronary artery disease listed as contributing factors. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner explained that “at the high levels of ketamine found in his post-mortem blood specimens, the main lethal effects would be from both cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression.”

The report also mentioned that the drowning likely happened after Perry lost consciousness and fell into the pool.

At the time of his death, Perry was receiving ketamine-assisted therapy to treat anxiety. However, the investigation revealed that the ketamine involved in his death was not from his medical treatment. Authorities began investigating how he obtained such a high dose of ketamine, and in May 2024, the Los Angeles Police Department opened a case to look into this.

By August 2024, five people faced charges related to supplying the ketamine that caused Perry’s death. Among them were Perry’s personal assistant, two doctors, and two drug dealers, including TV director Erik Fleming. Three of these individuals pleaded guilty, with Perry’s assistant Kenneth Iwamasa and Fleming entering their guilty pleas in early August. Another doctor, Mark Chavez, also agreed to plead guilty and faced suspension of his medical license.

Court records showed that Perry had paid the doctors $55,000 in cash for ketamine in the months before he died. Text messages revealed a network involving these individuals obtaining and distributing the drug. The legal proceedings continued with the second doctor, Salvador Plasencia, agreeing to plead guilty in June 2025.

Following his death, the National Philanthropic Trust established the Matthew Perry Foundation to support people struggling with addiction, continuing his legacy of helping others.

Aniston’s words and the ongoing investigation highlight both the deep personal loss felt by those close to Perry and the tragic realities of addiction. She has been open about the pain of watching a friend fight such a tough battle, but also grateful that his suffering has finally ended.

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