Matthew Perry and Jennifer Aniston’s iconic on-screen chemistry as Chandler Bing and Rachel Green on “Friends” was no act – Perry confessed he was immediately attracted to Aniston, long before they ever set foot on the famous Central Perk set.
According to Perry, the two actors met through mutual acquaintances about three years before “Friends” aired. He couldn’t help but be smitten by Aniston, and the attraction seemed mutual at first.
I got the sense she was intrigued too-maybe it was going to be something.
However, Perry’s initial confidence and a couple of over-enthusiastic phone calls in one day proved too much too soon. “Looking back, it was clear that this made her think I liked her too much, or in the wrong kind of way…and I only compounded the error by then asking her out,” he recalled.
Aniston gently turned him down and offered to be friends with him, “and I compounded the compound by blurting, ‘We can’t be friends!’,” he stated in his memoir.
An ongoing crush, but just for Matthew
His crush didn’t disappear when they started filming “Friends” in 1994. Perry admits that the on-screen hellos and goodbyes were awkward, and he would question how long would be appropriate to keep looking at her.
The actress’ “deafening lack of interest” eventually helped Matthew move on from his crush. Despite the one-sided romantic attraction, Perry and Aniston developed an unbreakable bond, both on and off the set.
Jennifer Aniston reached out to Perry the most during his years-long battle with drug and alcohol addiction, even confronting him about his drinking. Perry expressed his gratitude for her support.
A bitter farewell from Matthews ‘Friends’
After Perry’s untimely death at the age of 54, Aniston, along with her “Friends” co-stars Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer, was seen at what is presumed to be a funeral service for Perry.
The ensemble issued a joint statement expressing their devastation and emphasizing that they were more than just castmates; they were a family.
Matthew Perry’s death is currently listed as an apparent drowning, with further tests, including toxicology, pending.
Their friendship and camaraderie throughout the years are a testament to the lasting bond that “Friends” forged, both on and off the screen.
