Jennifer Aniston is reportedly struggling to cope in the wake of Matthew Perry’s recent passing, which has had a profound impact on her, according to sources close to the actress.
The demise of the “Friends” star, who passed away at the age of 54, has deeply affected Aniston, particularly as it marks a second significant loss in a short period. A well-placed industry source shared that among the surviving five members of the “Friends” cast, Jennifer Aniston, alongside Courteney Cox, is grappling the most with the loss. The insider revealed, “It’s a second massive loss in less than a year, with the one-year anniversary of her dad’s death just around the corner. She still hasn’t fully regained her footing from that, and now this has just completely knocked her off her feet.”
John Aniston, Jennifer’s father, was a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, having starred in “Days of Our Lives.” His passing in November 2022 deeply impacted Aniston, as she described him as “one of the most beautiful humans I ever knew.” A source conveyed that while Jennifer is attempting to gather herself, the emotional turmoil from these losses has been immensely devastating.
Aniston, along with her former co-stars Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, and Matt LeBlanc, attended Matthew Perry’s funeral at Forest Lawn cemetery in LA. They paid their respects, mourning the loss of their friend and co-star. Aniston, visibly affected, was seen walking behind the other cast members during the service, reflecting the pain of the loss.
Matthew Perry’s untimely death has been particularly poignant, especially given his openness about his struggles with addiction. Perry had previously praised Aniston for being the one to reach out the most during his challenging times. He appreciated her support and shared his gratitude for her efforts, citing her pivotal role in checking in on him.
Perry had also disclosed that it was Aniston who initially confronted him about his addiction issues while they were working on the “Friends” set. He further shared his feelings for Aniston, admitting his early crush on her. Despite his feelings at the beginning of the show, Perry’s affection for Aniston diminished over time, partly due to what he described as her apparent lack of romantic interest.
Aniston, who is currently starring in “The Morning Show,” had previously opened up about her father’s death and shared a personal experience after his funeral. She mentioned dropping a crystal into her father’s jacket before his burial, and later discovered the crystal had broken, leaving her with a piece that she now keeps on her vanity. Aniston described feeling a profound closeness to her father, expressing a belief that he’s always with her.