Matthew Perry: Friends Cast Reunite For Tribute To Co-Star

The cast of Friends teamed up this week for a poignant tribute to their late co-star Matthew Perry, who tragically died two years ago from a drug overdose aged 54.

 

Jennifer Aniston, 56, Courteney Cox, 61, Matt LeBlanc, 58, Lisa Kudrow, 62, and David Schwimmer, 59, all contributed to a special collection of artwork that will raise money for charity during the festive season.

 

The Matthew Perry Foundation shared heart-warming images on Instagram of each of the actors signing vibrant, colorful prints inspired by the iconic Friends theme song.

It is part of a collaboration with Soundwaves Art and artist Tim Wakefield.

The behind-the-scenes photos show the cast adding their autographs to limited-edition artwork that transformed the actual soundwaves of the Friends theme song into stunning visual designs.

Signed prints are being sold for $600 while unsigned ones are going for $100.

The Foundation captioned the post: 'Exciting news! The cast has teamed up with Soundwaves Art and artist Tim Wakefield for a very special collection of artwork this holiday season.

'Tim has transformed the actual soundwaves of the Friends theme song into these beautiful designs each inspired by a different character, and each cast member has autographed their own small run of artworks.

'And in collaboration with the estate of Matthew Perry we have produced a very limited edition of artworks embossed with Matthew's official signature.

'All profits will be supporting charities chosen by the cast, including the Matthew Perry Foundation and their work helping those struggling with the disease of addiction.'

Friends fans were moved by the projects, with one commenting on the post: 'I think I'm going to cry, I miss him so much.' Another wrote: 'I miss him sooo much.'

Perry, who played the beloved Chandler Bing in the hit sitcom, tragically died in October 2023.

 

He was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his Pacific Palisades home in Los Angeles, with an autopsy later revealing that the actor died from the acute effects of ketamine.

The troubled actor had been open about his decades-long struggle with addiction, which he detailed candidly in his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.

The Matthew Perry Foundation was established after his death to honor the actor's enduring commitment to helping others battling addiction.

 

The foundation features one of Matthew's most poignant quotes on its website: 'When I die, I don't want Friends to be the first thing that's mentioned. I want helping others to be the first thing that's mentioned. And I'm going to live the rest of my life proving that.'

His death sent shockwaves through Hollywood and beyond, and devastated his former castmates, who issued a joint statement describing themselves as 'more than just cast mates' but 'a family'.

In the weeks following his death, each star shared individual tributes to their friend and colleague. Aniston posted a black-and-white photo of herself with Perry alongside a text message he had sent her, writing: 'Making you laugh just made my day.'

She shared: 'Matty, I love you so much and I know you are now completely at peace and out of any pain.'

Kudrow thanked him for 'making me laugh so hard at something you said, that my muscles ached, and tears poured down my face EVERY DAY', while LeBlanc wrote that his times with Perry were 'honestly among the favorite times of my life'.

Cox, who played Perry's on-screen wife Monica Geller, wrote: 'Missing you today and always' when marking the one-year anniversary of his death in October 2024.

In a recent interview, Aniston opened up about how the cast had been 'mourning Matthew for a long time' due to his battle with addiction, saying: 'We did everything we could when we could.'

The Soundwaves Art, founded by British-born, Texas-based artist Tim Wakefield, has raised over £20 million for charity since 2007 by creating unique pieces of art from the soundwaves of famous songs and having musicians sign them.