Friends actress and star Maggie Wheeler expressed how she felt reading Matthew Perry's memoir. The newly released book titled Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing detailed Perry's long-term struggle with addiction, and the gory experiences that trailed his drug abuse, he even used a colostomy bag for nine months in the process.
Keep reading for all the details.
The actress told Page Six how tough it was to read the book due to the many revelations it held about Perry's life struggles and trying to find a lasting solution to the problem of his addictions.
In the book, Perry described a near-death experience he had several years ago when he was 49 and had his colon burst open after an opioid overdose which left him in a coma-induced sleep for two weeks, five months in the hospital bed and carrying around a colostomy bag for nine months.
The 53-year-old also penned down how he would use 55 Vicodin tablets and a quart of vodka to survive the day. Perry admitted he spent over $9 million trying to get rid of his addiction back then and be a sober, happy man again.
Wheeler expressed her pride over Perry for working on himself, surviving the "unthinkable," and doing his best to help people find strength in addiction.
“And I’m so proud of him and I’m so happy he’s here and I think it’s very brave that he’s written a book and he’s out talking about it, he’s really helping a lot of people.”
Wheeler testified that despite his evident struggles while filming due to his fluctuating weight on set, he remained a professional and carried himself with grace.
Wheeler detailed her experience of the sitcom, describing it as incredibly wonderful to have been a part of something that people love so much, find joy in and take solace in during tough times.
She played Janice, Perry's on-again, off-again girlfriend on the hit show.
She continued on how the stories of people who see the show make her feel grateful to have been part of something that held so much importance.
“I hear so many stories of people who watch Friends as they go to sleep at night, so yeah, it’s tremendous to be part of something that has so much resonance not only here but across the world now.”
The actress recently hosted a Friends trivia with International Delight and Warner Bros Discovery to mark the launch of Friends special Manhattan Hazelnut Mocha creamer.
The creamer is available in a zero-sugar option and was inspired by the Manhattan Mocha on the chalkboard at Central Perk. It's a limited edition release.
