He briefly dated Julia Roberts
Matthew Perry died on his ex-girlfriend’s birthday
Matthew Perry and Julia Roberts filming an episode of “Friends” together.
© imago images/Ronald Grant
“Friends” actor Matthew Perry died on Julia Roberts’ birthday. The two had a short and sad love affair.
Since last weekend, October 28th has been the anniversary of the death of the popular US actor Matthew Perry (1969-2023). However, it is also the Oscar winner’s birthday Julia Roberts (56), who was born on October 28, 1967. What initially seems unrelated turns out to be a tragic coincidence upon closer inspection: Roberts and Perry had an intense and short-lived love affair in the mid-90s.
The “Friends” star himself had this in detail in his 2022 release Autobiography “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing” revealed. In it, Perry recalled the moment when Roberts asked for a guest appearance on the incredibly successful series – but supposedly only if her role was related to a story surrounding Perry’s character Chandler. The two quickly became closer.
Daily exchanges by fax – “that was before the Internet, before cell phones” – eventually turned into hours-long telephone conversations and finally a private meeting in which Roberts is said to have spontaneously stood in front of his front door: “When I opened the door, there was a smiling Julia Roberts in front of me.”
The two were already a couple during Roberts’ guest appearance on “Friends” and they also spent the following New Year’s Eve together. Ultimately, however, it was only a three-month romance – which, according to his memoirs, Matthew Perry ended.
“I wasn’t enough”
The actor described his conflict at the time with the words: “Dating Julia Roberts was too much for me. I was constantly convinced that she would break up with me.” Massive self-doubt and feelings of inferiority ultimately led to him allegedly drawing a line: “I wasn’t enough; I could never be enough. I was broken, twisted, unlovable. Instead of facing the inevitable pain of losing her, I separated Instead, I’m inspired by the beautiful and brilliant Julia Roberts.”
Perry was found lifeless in his pool last Saturday and died at the age of 54. The exact circumstances of his death have not yet been clarified; a toxicological examination will provide information. However, this could take weeks or even months.