'Friends' cast reunites to honour Matthew Perry in charity tribute

The surviving cast of Friends have reunited to honour the memory of their late co-star Matthew Perry, coming together for a charity fundraiser two years after his death. Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow participated in the initiative in collaboration with the Matthew Perry Foundation, underscoring their continued commitment to celebrating Perry's legacy and supporting causes close to his heart.

The fundraiser centres on a collection of limited-edition artwork commissioned specifically for the event. Photos shared on the Matthew Perry Foundation's official Instagram account show each member of the cast individually signing a piece from the collection. The artwork was created in partnership with @soundwaves_art and artist Tim Wakefield, who transformed the soundwaves of Friends' iconic theme song, "I'll Be There for You," into visually striking designs inspired by the show's beloved characters.

According to the foundation, each artwork reflects a different character from the series, with each cast member autographing the piece associated with their role. "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," the foundation said in a statement accompanying the post.

Signed prints from the collection are being offered for $600, while unsigned editions are available for $100. Proceeds from the sales will benefit the Matthew Perry Foundation, along with other charitable organisations selected by the cast. The foundation focuses on helping individuals struggling with addiction, an issue Perry spoke about openly throughout his life.

Matthew Perry died in October 2023 at the age of 54. The Los Angeles Medical Examiner's Office later ruled his death an accident caused by the acute effects of ketamine. Perry had previously revealed that he used ketamine as part of a treatment plan to manage depression, though reports indicated he had been misusing the drug in the month leading up to his death.

In a previous interview with Vanity Fair, Jennifer Aniston reflected on Perry's long battle with addiction and the toll it took on those close to him. She said that she and her fellow cast members "did everything [they] could" to support him over the years. "It almost felt like we'd been mourning Matthew for a long time because his battle with that disease was a really hard one for him to fight," Aniston said.

She added that, despite the pain of his loss, she finds some comfort in knowing that her friend is no longer suffering. "I'm glad he's out of that pain," she said, acknowledging the challenges Perry faced before his passing.

The fundraiser represents a meaningful way for Perry's co-stars to honour his memory, while continuing to raise awareness and support for the causes he cared about most.