Friends star Matthew Perry has issued an apology following some controversial comments he made about fellow actor Keanu Reeves.
In his upcoming memoir Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing, the Chandler Bing actor takes readers behind the scenes of the hit sitcom and opens up about his struggles with addiction.
While the book contains many insights, the remarks aimed at Reeves have stirred up some controversy.
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In one excerpt, Perry writes: "Why is it that the original thinkers like River Phoenix and Heath Ledger die, but Keanu Reeves still walks among us?"
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Reeves is mentioned again when Perry recalls the death of comedian Chris Farley: "I punched a hole through Jennifer Aniston’s dressing room wall when I found out. Keanu Reeves walks among us."
Naturally, the comments have led people to believe that Perry and Reeves have an undisclosed rivalry, but Perry has now apologised and admitted he "should have used [his] own name".
"I’m actually a big fan of Keanu," he told Deadline. "I just chose a random name, my mistake. I apologise. I should have used my own name instead."
Digital Spy has reached out to Reeves' representatives for comment.
The memoir also reveals that, in 2018, Perry was in a coma for two weeks after his colon burst due to excessive opioid usage.
Recalling the near-death experience to People, the actor shared: "The doctors told my family that I had a two percent chance to live.
"I was put on a thing called an ECMO [extracorporeal membrane oxygenation] machine, which does all the breathing for your heart and your lungs. And that's called a Hail Mary. No one survives that."
For more on drug addiction and dependency, including information and support, please visit FRANK or Action on Addiction.
Social Executive, Entertainment Portfolio After completing her joint honours degree in Journalism and English Literature at Cardiff University, Iona joined Digital Spy as a Content Production Intern in 2022, where she wrote across both news and features, specialising in TV and movies. Following her internship, Iona continued contributing to the site as a freelance reporter, becoming social executive for the Hearst UK entertainment portfolio in summer 2025. Iona now leads the DS social channels, covering red carpets with stars such as Paul Mescal, Austin Butler, and more.
