Matthew Perry’s former fiancée Molly Hurwitz posted a poignant memorial to the late Friends star on Instagram on Monday after he died on Saturday at the age of 54.
“He would love for the world to talk about how talented he was,” Hurwitz, 32, said in the caption. “And he was really, really talented.”
Hurwitz, who works as a literary manager for Thruline Entertainment, was first linked to the actor in 2018 and the couple got engaged in November 2020 before parting ways in June 2021.
In her social media photo, she shared a picture of Perry’s silhouette against a wintry cityscape.
Hurwitz recalled sitting in the front row watching Perry reflect on his appearance on the hit NBC comedy, which starred Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer, before the Reuniting the series hit theaters in May 2021.
Details: Matthew Perry’s former fiancée Molly Hurwitz, 32, posted a poignant memorial to the late Friends star on Instagram on Monday after he died on Saturday at the age of 54
Perry played Chandler Bing on the NBC hit series “Friends.” Pictured earlier this year at USC in LA
Hurwitz was first linked to the actor in 2018 and the couple got engaged in November 2020 before parting ways in June 2021
“As the friends’ reunion approached, we re-watched the show together,” Hurwitz said. “F***, I was so good!!!…See what I did???” We rewound the scenes and studied them.
“We are united by our respect and appreciation for humor.” It was magical being with him as he rediscovered his brilliance.”
Hurwitz said she “obviously knew this man in a very different way as well,” saying, “Although I loved him deeper than I could understand, he was complicated and caused pain I had never known.”
“No one in my adult life has had a more profound impact on me than Matthew Langford Perry. For that, I am very grateful for everything I have learned from our relationship.”
Hurwitz indirectly referenced Perry’s battle with substance abuse throughout much of his life.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Al Anon, an invaluable resource for those who love someone struggling with this devastating disease,” she said.
She ended her letter by saying, “Matty, I’m relieved that you are at peace” and ended the post with “Sincerely, Moll-o-Rama (…fication).”
Perry told People in June 2021 through a rep of their split: “Sometimes things just don’t work out, and this is one of them. ‘I wish Molly all the best.’
Hurwitz recalled sitting in the front row watching Perry reflect on his appearance on the hit NBC comedy before the series’ reunion hit theaters in May 2021
She said of Perry: “It was magical being with him as he rediscovered his brilliance.”
The Friends actor was photographed in LA in April, about six months before his death
Less than a year earlier, after their engagement, Perry described Hurwitz to the publication as “the tallest woman on the planet at that time.”
Hurwitz took to social media to remember the late actor. That same day, Perry’s Friends co-stars Aniston, Cox, Kudrow, LeBlanc and Schwimmer issued a joint statement saying they were “all deeply devastated by the loss of Matthew.”
“We were more than just cast mates,” the ensemble told People. ‘We are a family. There is so much to say, but for now we will take a moment to grieve and process this incredible loss.”
The group concluded: “As time goes on, we will say more as we are able. For now, our thoughts and love are with Matty’s family, his friends and everyone who loved him around the world.”
Perry said less than a year ago that he wanted to help others who were in a similar situation battling drug or alcohol addiction.
Perry said during an appearance on the “Q” podcast with Tom Power at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema in Toronto in November 2022 that “the most important thing” he wants to be remembered for is “that he wants to help people” battling addiction battle.
“The best thing for me is when an alcoholic or drug addict comes up to me and says, ‘Will you help me?'” he said. “I can say yes and follow up and do it.”
“When I die, I don’t want friends to be the first thing mentioned. I want that to be the first thing mentioned, and I’ll spend the rest of my life proving that.”
Perry appeared on the hit series “Friends” for ten seasons from 1994 to 2004
Perry said that it was difficult for him to watch previous episodes of Friends because he could see his battle with addiction through his appearance on the show.
“I haven’t seen the show and haven’t seen it because I could go drink… opiates… drink… cocaine,” he said. “As if I could tell season after season based on how I looked.”
Perry called the program “an incredible ride” and said, “It was incredible to see how it touched the hearts of different generations.”
“It’s become so important and meaningful and I would watch it again.” “It was really funny and all the people were nice.”
Perry appeared on the hit series for ten seasons from 1994 to 2004. He also appeared in a number of films throughout his career, including 1997’s “Fools Rush In,” 2000’s “The Whole Nine Yards,” and 2009’s “17 Again.”
On Saturday, TMZ reported that first responders were called to Perry’s home to treat a cardiac arrest. According to sources, no foul play was suspected in the actor’s death.
After their initial investigation, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner authorities delayed announcing Perry’s cause of death because the trial could take weeks.