From intimate details about his romances to sordid secrets from his sex life Matthew Perry made a series of shocking revelations in his explosive, tell-all memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.
The Friends star, 53, certainly didn’t hold back in the tome, which was released last fall, making a slew of shocking admissions about his time on the sitcom, his past relationships, and his long battle with drugs and alcohol – but there was one comment that he made in the book that was particularly controversial.
Matthew raised eyebrows when he asked why fellow actor Keanu Reeves was still ‘walking among us’ while ‘original thinkers like River Phoenix and Heath Ledger’ died prematurely – a statement that was recently brought back into the spotlight after Matthew announced that it will be omitted from all future copies of the book.
When the memoir was first released last year, the declaration was met with fierce criticism from Keanu’s fans, and sources said that the John Wick alum, 58, who has never worked with Matthew, was left shocked over his words.
But during an appearance at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at USC’s Bovard Auditorium on Saturday, Matthew Perry said he was taking Keanu Reeves’ name out of his book
In the tome, which came out last fall, Matthew asked why Keanu (seen) was still ‘walking among us’ while ‘original thinkers like River Phoenix and Heath Ledger’ died prematurely
But during an appearance at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at USC’s Bovard Auditorium on Saturday, Matthew vowed that ‘any future versions of the book will not have his name in it.’
Matthew’s surprising proclamation about Keanu was among many made throughout his book.
As the actor comes back in the hot seat for discussing the shady quote about Keanu, FEMAIL went ahead and recapped all the other scandalous admissions that he made throughout the book
The Canadian-born actor was fiercely honest about his substance abuse issues, revealing that at his worst, he was taking 55 pain killers a day and admitting to attending rehab 15 times throughout his decades-long career, which he estimated cost him $9 million.
He also confessed to needing 12 different surgeries due to his struggles – and that he once almost lost his life after his colon burst and left him in a coma.
Matthew also spoke in detail about his past dating endeavors, opening up about the major crush he had with his Friends costar Jennifer Aniston, the night he had a steamy make out session with Valerie Bertinelli, while her husband was passed out next to them, and the time he went on a secret date with Cameron Diaz, during which she got ‘stoned’ and accidentally punched him in the face.
As the actor comes back in the hot seat for discussing the shady quote about Keanu, FEMAIL went ahead and recapped all the other scandalous admissions that he made throughout the book.
From the real reason he decided to dump Julia Roberts to the moment he failed to perform while attempting to lose his virginity to actress Tricia Fisher, here’s a look back at the most surprising things that Matthew revealed in his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.
Matthew asked why Keanu Reeves was still ‘walking among us’ while discussing the tragic deaths of River Phoenix and Heath Ledger
Matthew made the shocking comment about Keanu while discussing the untimely deaths of fellow actors River (left) and Heath (right) – who both died of overdoses at young ages
Matthew made the shocking comment about Keanu while discussing the untimely deaths of fellow actors River and Heath – the first of whom famously died of a combined drug overdose from heroin and cocaine in 1993 at age 23.
Heath, on the other hand, passed away from an accidental overdose of prescription medications in 2008 at age 28.
Matthew formed a close friendship with River after they starred in the 1988 movie A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon.
‘River was a beautiful man inside and out and too beautiful for this world, it turned out. It always seems to be the really talented guys who go down,’ he wrote.
‘Why is it that the original thinkers like River Phoenix and Heath Ledger die, but Keanu Reeves still walks among us?’
The Friends alum also reiterated the statement while reflecting on comedian Chris Farley’s fatal overdose – he died in 1997 at age 33 – later in the book.
‘Why is it that the original thinkers like River Phoenix and Heath Ledger die, but Keanu Reeves still walks among us?’ he wrote in the memoir
Matthew said: ‘I punched a hole through Jennifer Aniston’s dressing room wall when I found out. Keanu Reeves walks among us.
Following the book’s release, he faced severe criticism over the comment, and issued an apology days later.
While speaking to People last October, he said he was a ‘really big fan’ of the John Wick star and that he didn’t mean to target him specifically, but rather, he ‘chose a random name’ to show the unfairness of River, Heath, and Chris’ deaths.
‘I just chose a random name, my mistake. I apologize. I should have used my own name instead,’ he said.
A source close to Keanu told Us Weekly at the time that the A-lister was shocked by Matthew’s diss, explaining, ‘He thought the comments came out of left field. But it’s kind of backfired on Matthew anyway, which is why he had to apologize.’
During his appearance on Saturday, Matthew reflected on the ‘stupid’ statement, and said it would be taken out of all future copies of the book.
‘I said a stupid thing… it was a mean thing to do,’ he said.
He added he while he has not personally apologized to Keanu, he has publicly said sorry and would so in person if he has the opportunity to.
‘If I run into the guy, I’ll apologize – It was just stupid,’ he concluded.
Matthew spoke in detail about his drug and alcohol addictions – revealing that his struggles left him needing 12 surgeries and saw him enter rehab 15 different times, costing him $9 million in total
Matthew spoke out in detail about his substance abuse issues throughout his book, revealing that his struggles left him needing 12 surgeries and saw him enter rehab 15 different times
Matthew (seen in Friends in 1998) revealed that his substance abuse issues began when he was 14. His problems worsened in 1997, after he got into a jet ski accident and was given Vicodin
Matthew spoke out in detail about his substance abuse issues throughout his book, revealing that his struggles left him needing 12 surgeries and saw him enter rehab 15 different times – which he said cost him around $9 million.
At his worst, he admitted to taking 55 pain killers and would drink ‘probably a quart of vodka’ per day – and he even dropped down to only 128 pounds.
He also revealed that he nearly lost his life after his colon burst four years ago, at age 49 – leaving him in a coma with very little chance of making it out alive.
‘The doctors told my family that I had a two per cent chance to live,’ he told People while discussing the book.
‘I was put on a thing called an ECMO machine, which does all the breathing for your heart and your lungs. And that’s called a Hail Mary. No one survives that.’
While he insisted that he never turned up to the Friends set while high or drunk, he admitted to working while being severely hungover
In the book, he also revealed that his substance abuse issues began as early as 14 years old, and by the time he was 18, he was ‘drinking every day.’
His problems worsened in 1997, after he got into a jet ski accident and was prescribed Vicodin, a powerful and addictive pain medication.
While he insisted that he never turned up to the Friends set while high or drunk, he admitted to working while being severely hungover – and his costars could certainly tell something was wrong.
Once, during a scene in the iconic Central Perk coffee shop, he said he passed out on the famous orange couch and co-star Matt LeBlanc had to nudge him awake to say his line.
On another occasion, he said Jennifer came to his trailer and called him out for his drinking, telling him ‘in a weird but loving way’ that ‘they could smell it.’
The actor admitted to having a steamy make out session with his Sydney costar Valerie Bertinelli – while her husband Eddie Van Halen was passed out next to them
Matthew opened up about one time that he allegedly made out with his Sydney costar Valerie Bertinelli (seen together in 1990) while her husband, Eddie Van Halen, was asleep next to them
On top of sharing intimate details about his battle with drugs and alcohol, Matthew also spilled many secrets from his love life.
He delved into some of his past romances and sexual endeavors – and he even opened up about one time that he allegedly made out with Valerie while her husband, Eddie Van Halen, was passed out next to them.
In the tome, Matthew explained that he developed a fierce crush on the actress, now 63, while they were starring in the sitcom Sydney together in the early ’90s, despite her being ‘way out of his league’ and ‘married to one of the most famous rock stars on the planet.’
‘My feelings for Valerie were real. I was completely captivated – I mean, I was obsessed with her,’ he admitted.
‘I harbored elaborate fantasies about her leaving Eddie Van Halen and living out the rest of her days with me.’
‘It was clear that Eddie had enjoyed the fruits of the vine a little too hard, and eventually he passed out, not 10 feet away from us,’ Matthew recalled. Valerie and Eddie are seen
Matthew said that the next day on set Valerie ‘made no mention’ of their steamy kiss, and when she acted like it never happened, he ‘got the hint’
One night, after wrapping on set, he said he went over to her house to hangout, and he decided to take a ‘chance’ and kiss his costar – with her spouse laying just feet from them.
While Valerie did not address Matthew’s claims directly, she did post a TikTok video that said , ‘Anyone else misbehave in their 20s and early 30s? Are you mortified?’ right after his quotes about their late-night smooch were made public
‘As the night progressed, it was clear that Eddie had enjoyed the fruits of the vine a little too hard, and eventually he just passed out, not 10 feet away from us,’ he recalled.
‘This was my chance. If you think I didn’t actually have a chance in hell, you’d be wrong, dear reader – Valerie and I had a long, elaborate make-out session.
‘I told her I had thought about doing that for a long time, and she had said it right back to me.’
Matthew said that the next day on set Valerie ‘made no mention’ of their steamy kiss, and when she acted like it never happened, he ‘got the hint.’
Afterwards, he said he was ‘devastated,’ and admitted that her rejection led to many sleepless and tearful nights.
When Sydney was ultimately canceled after one season, Matthew described feeling relief because he ‘didn’t have to see Valerie anymore.’
While Valerie did not address Matthew’s claims directly, she did post a TikTok video that said, ‘Anyone else misbehave in their 20s and early 30s? Are you mortified?’ right after his quotes about their late-night smooch were made public.
Matthew revealed he had a crush on his Friends costar Jennifer Aniston and that he asked her out before they started filming the show – but eventually gave up due to her ‘deafening lack of interest’
In his book, Matthew spoke out about another person he was crushing on – his Friends costar Jennifer, now 54. They are seen in 1995
He explained in the memoir that he was ‘immediately taken’ by her during their first meeting – and he even asked her out before filming kicked off, but she turned him down
In his book, Matthew spoke out about another person he was crushing on – his Friends costar Jennifer, now 54.
Matthew said he continued to be attracted to Jennifer as they started making the show, and was ‘frequently overanalyzing’ every conversation they had – but that his feelings eventually faded due to the star’s ‘deafening lack of interest’
The two starred in the iconic series together for 10 years, and many people shipped their characters so Matthew’s admission over his feelings for Jennifer were pretty shocking among Friends fans.
He explained in the memoir that he was ‘immediately taken’ by her during their first meeting – and he even asked her out before filming kicked off, but she turned him down.
Matthew said he continued to be attracted to Jennifer as they started making the show, and was ‘frequently overanalyzing’ every conversation they had – but that his feelings eventually faded due to the star’s ‘deafening lack of interest.’
The Odd Couple star added that he had ‘long since gotten over her’ when she began a relationship with her future husband Brad Pitt in 1998, and was able to maintain conversations with her ‘without it being awkward.’
Matthew said he once had a secret date with Cameron Diaz – during which she got ‘stoned’ and accidentally punched him in the face
In his memoir, Matthew also made the shocking revelation that he once went on a date with Cameron Diaz in 2007 – and he said it went terribly wrong. They are both seen in 2007
In his memoir, Matthew also made the shocking revelation that he once went on a date with Cameron – and he said it went terribly wrong.
According to the actor, he and Cameron, now 50, were set up by a mutual friend following her split from Justin Timberlake (seen). But their meetup sounded like an absolutely disaster – since he wrote that she got ‘stoned’ and accidentally punched him in the face
According to the actor, he and Cameron, now 50, were set up by a mutual friend following her split from Justin Timberlake in 2007.
But their meetup sounded like an absolutely disaster – since he wrote that she got ‘stoned’ and accidentally punched him in the face.
‘Years ago, right after she quit seeing Justin Timberlake, I got set up on a date with Cameron Diaz’,’ he said.
‘The date was at a dinner party with a bunch of other people, but upon seeing me, Cameron got almost instantly stoned – it was clear that she wasn’t interested in me at all.
‘But the party went on nevertheless, and at one point we were all playing a game – Pictionary, I think,
‘As she was drawing, I said something witty to Cameron, to which she said, “Oh, come on,” and proceeded to punch me in the shoulder.
‘Or, at least, that’s what she meant to do. But she missed and, instead, punched me smack in the side of my face.’
Matthew spilled intimate details on his romance with Julia Roberts – including how he wooed her with hundreds of fax messages but ultimately ditched her because he was so scared she’d leave him
Matthew made admissions about his and Julia Roberts’ relationship – revealing that he wooed her with hundreds of fax messages before ditching her because he feared she would leave him
Matthew also made candid admissions about his and Julia’s relationship throughout the book – revealing that he wooed her with hundreds of fax messages before ultimately ditching her because he feared she would leave him.
He revealed that their romance began after the Pretty Woman actress, now 55, was asked to appear in Friends in 1995.
He said producers urged him to contact Julia after she stipulated she would only take a guest role if she could be in a storyline with his character, Chandler Bing.
‘I sent her three dozen red roses and the card read, “The only thing more exciting than the prospect of you doing the show is that I finally have an excuse to send you flowers,”‘ he recalled.
‘Not only did Julia agree to do the show, but she also sent me a gift – bagels, lots and lots of bagels.’
Her agreement to star in a special episode of the second season of Friends prompted what Matthew described as a ‘three-month courtship’ which involved him sending her daily faxes while she was working on a film in France. And by the time shooting for the episode started, they were a couple.
‘Dating Julia Roberts had been too much for me. I had been constantly certain that she was going to break up with me,’ he admitted. They are seen in Friends together
‘Three or four times a day I would sit by my fax machine and watch the piece of paper slowly revealing her next missive,’ he wrote.
‘I was so excited that some nights I would find myself out at some party sharing a flirtatious exchange with an attractive woman and cut the conversation short so I could race home and see if a new fax had arrived. Nine times out of 10, one had.’
But Matthew admitted to dumping her two months after she appeared on the show, thanks to his self doubts and insecurities.
‘Dating Julia Roberts had been too much for me. I had been constantly certain that she was going to break up with me,’ he admitted.
‘Why would she not? I was not enough. I could never be enough. I was broken, bent, unlovable.
‘So instead of facing the inevitable agony of losing her, I broke up with the beautiful and brilliant Julia Roberts.
‘She might have considered herself slumming it with a TV guy, and TV guy was now breaking up with her. I can’t begin to describe the look of confusion on her face.’
The Friends star recalled his botched attempt to lose his virginity as a teen to actress Tricia Fisher – and described how alcoholism negatively impacted his ability to perform in bed
Matthew didn’t hold anything back in the book – and he even opened up about his botched attempt to lose his virginity to Tricia Fisher (seen together in 1987) when they were teens
Matthew certainly didn’t hold anything back in the tell-all book – and he even opened up about his botched attempt to lose his virginity to Tricia, now 54, when they were teens.
Matthew explained that he had tried to have sex for the first time year earlier, when he was still living in Ottawa, Canada, but he was unable to perform thanks to alcohol consumption and anxiety.
The star said he had ‘six beers’ beforehand in an attempt to work up his courage, but the liquor totally backfired.
‘By then I’d been drinking for a few years. I failed to make the correlation between the booze and my private parts not working,’ he wrote.
Matthew said he told no one what had happened and he started to believe ‘sex was something for other people.’
Matthew tried again after he started dating his first girlfriend, Tricia, in the ’80s, when he was 18.
According to the star, they attempted to have sex but a ‘horrified’ Matthew was left ‘soft and sad’ after ‘nothing worked.’
Matthew (seen in 1985) explained that he had tried to have sex for the first time year earlier, when he was still living in Canada, but he was unable to perform thanks to alcohol
Matthew said he and Tricia attempted to have sex when they were dating in the ’80s, but a ‘horrified’ Matthew was left ‘soft and sad’ after ‘nothing worked.’ He is pictured in 1994
‘Nothing worked, nothing. Horrified yet again, I forsook the loving arms of Tricia Fisher and padded my slim, naked body over to a chair in the apartment,’ he recalled.
‘I sat there, soft, and sad, my two hands cupped over my lap like a nun’s during Vespers, doing my best to cover my embarrassment and maybe a tear or two.’
He revealed that Tricia ultimately was able to help him conquer his problem, continuing: ‘She walked over to me, took my hand, led me back to bed, laid me down, and sure enough … sheer glory, for two whole minutes.
‘That night, by the dint of a miraculous universe and the ministrations of a beautiful young woman who deserved better, I finally first misplaced my virginity then lost it altogether, and impotence has not been part of my vocabulary since, just as she promised it wouldn’t be. Everything about me – at least physically – works just fine.’
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