Lisa Kudrow Says She's 'Comforted' That Matthew Perry 'Got to Die Happy'

12/09/2024 01:48 PM

Lisa Kudrow is still mourning Friends costar Matthew Perry, but she takes comfort in one part of his sudden passing.

"This will sound odd. I'm more comforted that he was happy the day he died," Kudrow, 61, said during her appearance on the "Armchair Expert" podcast on Monday, December 9. "He got to die happy. And to me, that was a gift."

Perry died at his Los Angeles home in October 2023 at age 54. His official cause of death was later determined as his "the acute effects of ketamine," which is used to treat opioid use.

The conversation about Perry came up during Kudrow's podcast appearance when host Dax Shepard said he knew the late actor "through sobriety."

"This is where I start chewing my gum," Kudrow responded. "This is where I need my nicotine."

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As a recovering addict himself, Shepard, 49, admitted that it's "tough" to love someone with an addiction. "I would be grateful to get to go back and see it before it had taken its toll," he said, referring to Kudrow's ability to access 10 years of footage of Perry on Friends.

Kudrow admitted it was "complicated," further discussing her relationship with her late costar.

"I loved that Matthew I first met and the one at the end, because God love him, this is you, and I love you," she said. "I understand, and so did he."

Kudrow broke her silence on Perry's death weeks after he passed.

"Shot the pilot, Friends Like Us, got picked up then immediately, we were at the NBC Upfronts. Then… You suggested we play poker AND made it so much fun while we initially bonded. Thank you for that," she captioned a November 2023 Instagram post. "Thank you for making me laugh so hard at something you said, that my muscles ached, and tears poured down my face EVERY DAY."

Her tribute continued, "Thank you for your open heart in a six way relationship that required compromise. And a lot of 'talking.' Thank you for showing up at work when you weren't well and then, being completely brilliant. Thank you for the best 10 years a person gets to have. Thank you for trusting me."

Kudrow told fans that Perry showed her "GRACE and LOVE" throughout their friendship. "Thank you for the time I got to have with you, Matthew," she concluded.

Perry's death was initially ruled accidental, but the investigation into his sudden passing was reopened this past January. Five people have since been charged in connection with his death.

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The actor's assistant Kenneth Iwamasa pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death, while an acquaintance of Perry named Erik Fleming pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death. Dr. Mark Chavez pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute ketamine. They have cooperated with the investigation in exchange for a lesser charge.

Dr. Salvador Plasencia and Jasveen Sangha (a.k.a. the "Ketamine Queen") have pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine.

If you or someone you know are struggling with addiction or mental health, contact the national Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at samhsa.gov or 1-800-662-HELP.