It’s been nearly seven months since the world lost Matthew Perry, the beloved actor best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the iconic sitcom Friends. But for Courteney Cox—who played Monica Geller, Chandler’s on-screen wife—the loss is far more personal, and still deeply raw.

In a recent and emotional interview with Jonathan Vigliotti of CBS Sunday Morning, the 59-year-old actress opened up about her grief, revealing not only the depth of her connection with Perry but also a deeply touching secret she has kept hidden for years. Her quiet revelation adds a new layer of heartbreak to a friendship that millions around the world watched blossom on screen—and one that endured long after the cameras stopped rolling.

Fighting back tears, Courteney described Matthew Perry as “one of the funniest people in the world,” a sentiment echoed by fans and co-stars alike. But it wasn’t just his quick wit that made him special. “He was genuinely kind and had a huge heart,” she said. “It’s clear he struggled with a lot of things. I’m just really grateful I got to work with him so closely for so many years.”

Then came a moment that caught many viewers off guard—a revelation so personal and intimate, it gave new meaning to her ongoing grief. “He visits me a lot, if you believe in that sort of thing,” Cox said softly. “I talk to my mom, my dad, and Matthew. I feel like there are a lot of people who… I think they guide us. I truly feel Matthew is around, for sure.”

It was a rare admission from an actress known for her quiet strength. Cox’s belief that Perry is still spiritually present shows just how deeply their bond endures—beyond time, beyond space.

Few people knew just how strong their connection truly was until Cox revealed a secret she had kept close to her heart.

After Perry’s sudden passing on October 28, 2023—due to the acute effects of ketamine—Courteney posted a touching tribute on Instagram, accompanied by a scene from Friends where Monica and Chandler are in bed, moments before being discovered by Ross. In her caption, she shared something that fans had never known before.

“Before we started rolling, he whispered a funny line for me to say. He often did things like that,” she wrote. “He was funny and he was kind.”

This spontaneous humor, shared only between them, became a private language on set—one that infused their performances with authenticity and chemistry that fans adored. It was this little-known habit, the whispered jokes and unspoken understanding, that made their friendship so powerful, and their loss so painful.

It’s a bittersweet memory, made all the more poignant now that only one of them remains to tell the story.

In early May 2024, on the 20th anniversary of Friends’ finale, Courteney reflected again on her time with the cast, sharing that she still doesn’t know “how we managed to act while constantly holding back tears.” Her post concluded with two simple, aching words: “Forever grateful.”

This gratitude extends beyond her castmates and into her memories with Perry—memories she says she will carry with her always. While the public saw them as co-stars, Cox experienced something much deeper: a real friendship filled with laughter, sorrow, growth, and compassion.

Courteney’s pain is shared by Perry’s family, especially his mother Suzanne and stepfather Keith Morrison, who recently spoke about the loss on Hoda Kotb’s Making Space podcast. Morrison noted how deeply Perry and his mother had reconnected near the end of his life. “They were closer than ever. Matthew was truly happy,” he said. But the sorrow, he added, “doesn’t go away.”

Perry, who was born in 1969 and raised in Canada, led a life full of highs and tragic lows. His memoir Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing laid bare his decades-long battle with addiction. His honesty touched millions, and his death was a profound blow—not just to fans, but to those who truly knew him.

While Chandler and Monica’s romance was originally written as a one-night fling, fan reactions convinced the show’s writers to turn it into a long-lasting love story. Off-screen, Courteney and Matthew developed a deep friendship built on trust, mutual support, and shared struggles.

Now, with Perry gone, Courteney is left not just mourning a co-star—but a kindred spirit. Her quiet revelations—the whispered jokes, the spiritual presence, the ache that never leaves—reveal a depth of feeling that’s hard to put into words.

For Courteney Cox, remembering Matthew Perry is both a comfort and a heartbreak. And now, with her hidden stories finally coming to light, the world can begin to understand just how much she truly lost—and how deeply she still loves.