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)
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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."



Joyful Musical ‘Titanique’ Puts Celine Dion Center Stage

Canadian Singer Celine Dion performs at the Eiffel Tower at the conclusion of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Reuters)
Canadian Singer Celine Dion performs at the Eiffel Tower at the conclusion of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Reuters)
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Joyful Musical ‘Titanique’ Puts Celine Dion Center Stage

Canadian Singer Celine Dion performs at the Eiffel Tower at the conclusion of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Reuters)
Canadian Singer Celine Dion performs at the Eiffel Tower at the conclusion of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Reuters)

Imagine if singer Celine Dion had been on the Titanic, survived, and wanted to revisit her version of events. That is the premise of the musical "Titanique" that has opened in London's West End.

Featuring Dion’s back catalogue, the show's light-hearted tone is a break with previous more somber accounts of the story of the ocean liner that hit an iceberg and sank in 1912.

It blends elements from the plot of the 1997 movie version, which starred actors Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio as lovers Rose and Jack, and other pop culture references.

Tye Blue, who directs and also wrote the musical along with actor and writers Constantine Rousouli and Marla Mindelle, describes it as "a joy machine".

The story is told through the eyes of the character Celine Dion, played by Lauren Drew.

"This is very much a love letter to Celine Dion....paying homage to her and her craft and her strength," Drew said after coming off stage. "It's completely embodying her kookiness, her craziness and her talent. So I just I love that I get to do that every night."

Blue said Dion's team came to see the show after it opened in New York and that "they loved it" and "kind of unofficially gave us their blessing".

Last year Dion returned to the live stage with a performance at the Olympics opening ceremony in Paris.

The 56-year-old singer said in late 2022 that she had been diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder called stiff-person syndrome that causes muscle spasms.

The music from the show includes ballads such as "Titanic’s" award-winning hit "My Heart Will Go On" and Eric Carmen’s "All by Myself" that Dion released in 1996.

"Titanique" is playing at the Criterion Theater until March 2025. Other versions of it are playing in Sydney, Toronto and Montreal, and another is set to open in France in April.