Inside Matthew Perry's funeral: Hank Azaria's remarkable insights
Last week, Matthew Perry was accompanied on his final journey by his closest family and friends. Hank Azaria, a guest star on "Friends," recalls their first meeting and the close, heartfelt relationship they shared. He also sheds light on the details of the funeral ceremony.
It has been two weeks since the world learned about the premature death of Matthew Perry. Best known for his unforgettable portrayal of Chandler Bing in the series "Friends," the actor was found dead in his jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home. He was only 54 years old.
Less than a week after this tragic incident, a private funeral ceremony was held. His final resting place was chosen to be a cemetery located near the Warner Bros. studio, where "Friends" was filmed for 10 years. The actor's closest family, main cast members, and recurring characters from the sitcom, including his close friend, Hank Azaria, attended the ceremony.
Matthew Perry befriended Hank Azaria, who played David, before "Friends" began filming
Fans of the iconic ten-season series will undoubtedly remember David, Phoebe's scientist love interest, flawlessly portrayed by Lisa Kudrow. Despite his character's prominence, Azaria appeared in only five episodes, ultimately losing Phoebe's heart to Mike. However, he did get the opportunity to meet all the main characters on set.
Matthew Perry and Hank Azaria, who played David, were inseparable friends. Their professional paths crossed for the first time nine years before they filmed "Friends", while they were both cast in a film titled "Morning Maggie" that never saw the light of day.
"Matthew was the first friend I met in Los Angeles when I moved there. I was 21 years old, and he was 16. (...) We became very good friends. For a long time, we were like brothers. We spent a lot of time drinking and laughing together; we supported each other at the beginnings of our careers," recalls the 59-year-old Azaria.
The three-time Emmy Award winner for voice-over in the animation "The Simpsons" pointed out that Perry executed his comedic talent not just on set but also in his personal life.
"As funny as Matthew was on 'Friends', he was just as comical off-screen. He was undoubtedly the funniest man on the planet and loved to laugh. (...) Most nights spent with Matthew ended in fits of laughter," he told "The Messenger".
Azaria added that during the funeral service, there were numerous tears of laughter. The loved ones of Matthew Perry remembered all his humorous lines and situations, creating an atmosphere that wasn't as somber as one would expect.
