Hollywood is full of co-star romances, but Matthew Perry and Jennifer Aniston’s story was different. Before they became Chandler Bing and Rachel Green on ‘Friends’, Perry had already developed a crush on Aniston, one that ended in an awkward rejection but eventually grew into a lasting friendship.Perry revealed the story himself in his 2022 memoir, ‘Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir’. He wrote that he had known Aniston for around three years before ‘Friends’, having met her through mutual friends, and was immediately attracted to her.
When Matthew Perry said he can’t be friends with Jennifer Aniston
When Perry was offered the role of Chandler, Aniston was the first person from the future cast he called. He later recalled feeling that he had made his interest too obvious and could sense “ice forming through the phone.” He eventually asked her out, but Aniston declined and suggested they remain friends.Perry’s response was famously awkward. He recalled telling her, “We can’t be friends!” Yet the rejection did not end their relationship.
The crush that stayed with Matthew Perry
When the ‘Friends’ cast came together for its first reading in 1994, Perry admitted that his feelings for Aniston had not disappeared. He recalled wondering how long he could look at her before his staring became obvious. With time, however, the awkwardness faded. Perry wrote that by 1998, when Aniston began dating Brad Pitt, he had “long since gotten over” his feelings and could speak to her normally.
About Matthew Perry’s memoir
The memoir was released on November 1, 2022 and covered far more than his ‘Friends’ years, including his career, relationships and addiction struggles. It was in the memoir itself that Perry first shared his feelings for Aniston, including his crush and the awkward rejection.
Jennifer Aniston’s emotional tribute for Matthew Perry
Perry passed away on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner determined that the cause was the acute effects of ketamine, with drowning, coronary artery disease and buprenorphine effects contributing; the manner of death was ruled an accident.Aniston later paid tribute to him, sharing memories and a private text exchange. She described the six ‘Friends’ stars as a “chosen family” and remembered Perry as someone who loved making people laugh.What began with an unreturned crush ultimately became something more lasting: a friendship that survived long after the cameras stopped rolling.
