Matthew Perry’s ‘Friends’ Costars Reminiscence about Late Actor

A makeshift memorial for US actor Matthew Perry outside the building shown in exterior shots of the television show 'Friends', in New York, USA, 30 October 2023 (Issued on 31 October 2023). (EPA)
A makeshift memorial for US actor Matthew Perry outside the building shown in exterior shots of the television show 'Friends', in New York, USA, 30 October 2023 (Issued on 31 October 2023). (EPA)
TT
20

Matthew Perry’s ‘Friends’ Costars Reminiscence about Late Actor

A makeshift memorial for US actor Matthew Perry outside the building shown in exterior shots of the television show 'Friends', in New York, USA, 30 October 2023 (Issued on 31 October 2023). (EPA)
A makeshift memorial for US actor Matthew Perry outside the building shown in exterior shots of the television show 'Friends', in New York, USA, 30 October 2023 (Issued on 31 October 2023). (EPA)

Matthew Perry’s "Friends" co-stars are sharing more remembrances of the star in their first personal social media posts since the actor’s death last month.

Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer posted heartfelt notes about Perry, who died Oct. 28, on Instagram. The posts on Tuesday and Wednesday were accompanied by photos from the "Friends" set.

"In the last couple weeks, I’ve been pouring over our texts to one another. Laughing and crying then laughing again," Aniston posted Wednesday, sharing a text message where Perry sent her photo of a script reading session where Perry made her laugh.

"Oh boy this one has cut deep... Having to say goodbye to our Matty has been an insane wave of emotions that I’ve never experienced before," Aniston’s post read.

The stars, including Lisa Kudrow, issued a joint statement a few days after Perry's death, saying they were "all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family."

Schwimmer posted a photo of him and Perry dressed up as "Miami Vice" characters, calling it "one of my favorite moments with you."

"Now it makes me smile and grieve at the same time," Schwimmer’s post said.

LeBlanc posted Tuesday: "It was an honor to share the stage with you and to call you my friend. I will always smile when I think of you and I’ll never forget you. Never." His post included one candid shot of the cast all hugging on set.

Perry was found dead last month at his Los Angeles home. After an initial investigation, the Los Angeles County coroner deferred giving a cause of death, which may take weeks to determine.

Cox shared a video clip of a "Friends" scene where her and Perry's characters are in bed, trying not to have their relationship discovered. It’s an iconic moment of the show, and Cox shared a bit of backstory about filming.

"In this scene, before we started rolling, he whispered a funny line for me to say," Cox posted. "He often did things like that. He was funny and he was kind."

"I am so grateful for every moment I had with you Matty and I miss you every day," she wrote.

Most of the posts reference how sweet, funny and thoughtful Perry was.

LeBlanc ended his note with a bit of comedy, writing: "Spread your wings and fly brother you’re finally free. Much love. And I guess you’re keeping the 20 bucks you owe me."



Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone Primed to Headline Sweltering Coachella

Lady Gaga. (AFP/Getty Images)
Lady Gaga. (AFP/Getty Images)
TT
20

Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone Primed to Headline Sweltering Coachella

Lady Gaga. (AFP/Getty Images)
Lady Gaga. (AFP/Getty Images)

Music fans were descending on California's Coachella Valley for the premier arts festival that begins Friday and features headliners Lady Gaga, Green Day and Post Malone.

The opening day promises to be a scorcher, quite literally; a dome of high pressure is triggering a mini heat wave in southern California, with meteorologists predicting the temperature could crack 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius).

Organizers are urging the tens of thousands expected to arrive at the poorly shaded festival grounds to stay hydrated and use sunscreen as they gather to see other day-one lineup highlights including rapper Missy Elliott, Australian electropop band Parcels, and a rare stateside appearance from British punk ravers The Prodigy.

The sprawling desert weekend marks the unofficial start of music festival season, which Lady Gaga is priming to kick off with a bang. Fresh off the release of her latest album "Mayhem," the pop superstar has vowed "a massive night of chaos."

"Can't wait to hear you all singalong and dance dance DANCE till we drop," she posted when the lineup was announced.

South African star Tyla is also slated to perform Friday, one year after an injury forced her to pull out of the 2024 festival.

"Had many opportunities to go but swore to myself that the first time I go to Coachella, imma be performing... and look now!" she wrote on X when the lineups were announced last year.

And Blackpink's Lisa -- fresh off a role in HBO's hit show "White Lotus" -- will perform on her own Friday night, having twice taken the Coachella stage with her bandmates.

Later in the weekend Charli XCX is expected to turn the grounds her signature "brat" green, after a blockbuster year that saw her latest album propel her to new echelons of fame.

Travis Scott will play a special guest slot following Green Day's Saturday set, years after the hip-hop performer was slated to headline the 2020 festival, which was ultimately scrapped due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

- Rock revival -

Fresh off a Grammy win, Venezuelan band Rawayana is also primed to play a top slot on Saturday.

And celebrity conductor Gustavo Dudamel notably will lead the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a sunset concert.

There have been orchestral performances at Coachella before -- film composers Danny Elfman and Hans Zimmer were showcased over the past decade -- but Saturday's performance will be the first time a major professional orchestra has played there.

Hip-hop superstar Megan Thee Stallion will helm the main stage Sunday ahead of Post Malone's headlining performance, with Ty Dolla $ign also set to perform.

Also on Sunday French duo Polo & Pan will bring their tropicalia-infused electro set back to the Coachella Valley.

German electronic pioneers Kraftwerk are another draw, as are two of the 2025 Best New Artist Grammy nominees, Shaboozey and Benson Boone.

And while Coachella has leaned decidedly pop over the past decade, the 2025 edition will get back to the festival's rock roots.

Along with Green Day, rock acts including The Go-Gos, the original Misfits, Jimmy Eat World, and cult punk legends the Circle Jerks are slated to play.

"In this world gone sideways we know one thing for certain - rock 'n' roll is forever, and its spirit is needed now more than ever," said Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong earlier this year in Billboard.

Coachella 2025 will take place on April 11-13 and 18-20.