Julia Roberts has broken her silence following the unexpected death of her former boyfriend, Matthew Perry, at the age of 54.
The Oscar-winning actress expressed her heartbreak over the untimely passing, emphasizing the importance of appreciating life and moving forward positively.
"The sudden passing of anybody so young is heartbreaking," Roberts shared with Entertainment Tonight. "I think that, you know, it just helps all of us appreciate what we have and to keep going in a positive way as best we can."
Roberts and Perry had a brief romance in the mid-1990s after meeting on the set of the popular TV show Friends, where she made a cameo appearance.
Perry's unconventional attempt to win her over by sending complex physics notes eventually led to a three-month courtship filled with daily faxes and lengthy phone calls.
Despite their past romantic involvement, Perry's struggles with addiction became a significant factor in the relationship's challenges. The actor, citing deep-seated insecurities, preemptively ended the relationship, fearing Roberts would eventually leave him.
In her reflection on their time together, Roberts spoke warmly about her experience on Friends and her interactions with Perry and the rest of the cast. "They were all so welcoming to me as just a kind of one-off character, and it was a really fun time," she shared with ET.
Roberts' sentiments reflect the broader impact of Perry's death on those who knew him, emphasizing the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing the present moment.