Less than 24 hours after it was first reported that Matthew Perry died at the age of 54, Gwyneth Paltrow took to Instagram to reflect on her favorite memories of the late Friends star.

Paltrow shared in the lovely social media post, which featured a throwback pic of Perry, that she first met the Friends actor at the 1993 Williamstown Theater Festival in Massachusetts. “We were both there for most of the summer doing plays,” she explained. He was so funny and so sweet and so much fun to be with.” 

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A post shared by Gwyneth Paltrow (@gwynethpaltrow)

The actress further shared that she and Matthew Perry drove up to swim in creeks and had beers in a local college bar. She also revealed they kissed in a field of long grass. “It was a magical summer. He had shot the pilot of Friends but it had not aired yet. He was nervous, hoping his big break was just around the corner. It was.” 

Paltrow wrote that she and Perry stayed friends before eventually drifting apart. “But I was always happy to see him when I did,” she continued. “I am super sad today, as so many of us are.”

She went on to add that she hopes Perry is at peace at long last. 

Matthew Perry reportedly passed away on Saturday (October 28th) at his LA home. His rep and law enforcement confirmed the news. 

Warner Bros. Television Releases Statement Describing Matthew Perry As a ‘Incredibly Gifted Actor’ 

Along with Paltrow, Warner Bros. Television released a statement about Matthew Perry. The studio behind Perry’s hit series Friends, stated that Matthew Perry was an incredibly gifted actor. 

“The impact of comedic genius was felt around the world,” the studio declared. “And his legacy will live on in the hearts of many. This is a heartbreaking day, and we send our love to his family, his loved ones, and all of his devoted fans.” 

Matthew Perry starred as Chandler Bing on Friends from 1994 to 2004. The role earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series alongside his Friends co-star Matt LeBlanc in 2002. Perry once revealed that he was sober all the way through Season 9 of Friends. “And guess which season I got nominated for best actor?” He asked People last year. “I was like, ‘That should tell me something.’”

Matthew Perry wrote about his struggles with drugs and alcohol for decades in his 2022 memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, which was released nearly one year prior to his unexpected death. Perry said he wanted to share details about his addiction when he was safe from going to the “dark side” of everything. “I had to wait until I was pretty safely sober – and away from the active disease of alcoholism and addiction – to write it all down.”