Matthew Perry was best known for his role as Chandler Bing on NBC’s iconic sitcom, Friendsbut for some, his friendship extended far beyond the silver screen.
On Saturday, Perry died at the age of 54 at his home in Los Angeles, California. Following the news, celebrities, fans and Perry’s family have spoken out about his ‘tragic’ death and his impact on those who knew him.
ET’s Kevin Frazier spoke with Matt Manasse, Perry’s close friend and pickleball coach, about their final moments, how Perry became “obsessed” with the game and how they spent time together off the court.
Over Zoom, Manasseh called Perry “genuine and caring” and revealed that no matter when he spoke to the late actor, “the one thing he would always make you laugh and leave you in a good mood.”
Manasseh explained that Perry used pickleball as an outlet for his recovery and encouraged others who were overcoming addiction to try the sport.
“He would sometimes bring other people to the court who were going through similar things and also try to use pickleball to help them,” Manasseh said. “He really always had his heart open and always tried to make everyone laugh.”
“I feel fortunate to know him,” Manasseh noted.
Before his death on Saturday, Perry played pickleball, something Manasse said he did about four to five times a week.
“I think pickleball was an outlet for him,” Manasseh explained. “It was something he became obsessed with, and that was his new healthy addiction, and he loved it.”
Perry has been open about it for a long time his history of substance abuse. In 2022 he released a memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Great Terrible: A Memoirwhich detailed his rise to fame, his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction, and his health problems.
Manasseh said Perry was in “good spirits” in the weeks before his death and “it seemed like he was in a really good place and a happy place.”
Off the pickleball court, Perry and Manasseh were good friends, sharing dinners together and watching the Super Bowl at Perry’s house.
“I’m just glad he had a lot of fun and enjoyment on a pickleball court, surrounded by people that he enjoyed, because he gave us so much joy,” Manasseh continued, noting that Perry’s star quality was something that “most people don’t to have’.
Manasseh became emotional when asked if there was another message he wanted to send to Perry, saying, “I miss him and I would like to talk to him again” and “Thank you for being a very good friend. “
To learn more about Perry’s life and legacy, check out the links and video below.
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