Friends creator shares update on Matthew Perry’s health following fan concerns: ‘He’s stronger and better’

The director of Friends has shared an update on Matthew Perry after fans voiced their concerns about his health. 

Creators of the show Kevin Bright, Marta Kaufmann and David Crane spoke about the recent reunion special, which saw original cast of Matthew, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBLanc, Lisa Kudrow, and David Schwimmer back together 17 years after the classic sitcom ended. 

Some viewers claimed that Matthew’s voice seemed slurred during Friends: The Reunion. The concerns came as the 51-year-old previously discussed his battle with alcoholism, admitting he ‘doesn’t remember three years’ of filming Friends at all.

It’s since been reported that it was the result of dental surgery just hours before the recording.

Asked whether he’d spoken to the actor about his health, Bright told The Hollywood Reporter: ‘I think he’s OK.’

‘I talked to him. It was great seeing him again,” said the director. ‘And what people say is what people say. I don’t have any[thing] to say about that, except it was great to see him. And I think he’s very funny on the show.’

Bright added: ‘But yes, I think he’s OK. He seems stronger and better since the last time I saw him, and excited about going forward.’

According to sources close to the Chandler Bing star, he required emergency dental work just hours before joining his cast mates to be interviewed for the reunion.

‘Matthew turned up to the reunion [in April] and members of his team said that he had an emergency tooth procedure that day,’ an insider told The Sun.

‘That was said to impact his wellbeing and also how he was feeling. [Matthew] had been in pain from what we understand, which caused the slurred speech. Obviously no one wants to film after a procedure, but it happened,’ they continued.

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‘The feeling was one of huge sympathy for Matthew especially in recent days given how people have reacted online. Matthew has told those around him that he is sober, and there is no need to worry.’

The Friends Reunion finally aired in the UK and US on May 27, having been delayed for a year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Metro.co.uk contacted Matthew Perry’s reps for comment on the story.  

The Friends Reunion is available to stream on HBO Max and NOW.

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