Sean Penn and Matthew Perry.Photo:Shannon Finney/Getty; Robin L Marshall/WireImage
Shannon Finney/Getty; Robin L Marshall/WireImage
Sean Pennhas kind, but candid, words to say aboutMatthew Perry, both hisdark journey through addictionand hislight as an actor.
The Oscar-winning actor, 63, knew Perry from his guest role on two episodes ofFriendsin 2001. Penn appeared visibly moved while discussing Perry onPiers Morgan Uncensored, calling the late actor a “talented guy.”
“I saw him somewhat recently, and we were both catching a flight out of Los Angeles airport, and I complimented him on what I knew ofhis book,” Penn tells hostPiers Morgan, 58, on Wednesday’s episode.
Penn admits, “I hadn’t read the book, I had seen several ofhis interviews, and he seemed to be talking about it,had confronted itand was very intelligent and bold about it and generouslyoffering his experience to people to be helpful.”
Matthew Perry photographed in Hollywood, CA on September 20, 2022.
Penn — whose sonHopper, 30, alsostruggled with and overcame addiction— expressed empathy.
“It’s tragic, I can’t say that I was terribly surprised,” Penn continued. “I don’t know what the wholecoroner’s reportthings and everything, but I know hehad done a lot of damage to his organs over the years.”
“You know, tough situation, and he got to do that, he got to leave that tale behind and he got to give a lot of joy to a lot of people with his talent,” he added. “So, I wish his family well.”
NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Two days after Perry’s death, hisFriendscostars exclusive issued ajoint statementto PEOPLE that they were “utterly devastated.”
Last week, they all alsoshared individual tributes, with Aniston, 54, writing onInstagram: “Matty, I love you so much andI know you are now completely at peace and out of any pain. I talk to you every day… sometimes I can almost hear you saying ‘could you BE any crazier?’”
LeBlanc alsostruck a bittersweet chord, writing, “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. Spread your wings and fly brother you’re finally free. Much love.”
TheEpisodesstar, 56, ended with a lighthearted quip: “And I guess you’re keeping the 20 bucks you owe me.”
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source: people.com
