Matthew Perry’s inner circle: Who he trusted

Matthew Perry’s inner circle, aside from his Friends co-stars of course, were the people who supported him, and in some ways, protected him from his demons.

Matthew Perry was a Friend to millions of fans around the world, and a friend to those who knew him best.

His inner circle, aside from his Friends co-stars of course, were the people who supported him, and in some ways, protected him from his demons.

Perry was open about his at times debilitating drug addiction over the years, writing unflinchingly about it in his critically acclaimed 2022 memoir ‘Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing’.

Here’s who the late actor trusted and counted on during his time of greatest need.

BRIANA BRANCATO

In Perry’s memoir, he revealed his close bond with his former personal assistant, Briana Brancato.

Matthew Perry with former assistant Briana Brancato.

Bianca Brancato was Matthew Perry's former assistant and best friend. Picture: Supplied

Perry revealed in his memoir that five years ago, aged 49, his colon had burst from opioid abuse, leaving him in a coma for two weeks.

He credited Brancato in the book with saving his life.

She had recently, with Perry’s support, left the role as his assistant and started working as a personal trainer.

Brancato posted a tribute to Perry after his shock death, including images of the pair lying on a bed and sharing a laugh.

“From witnessing him in his genius to sharing in his worldly adventures living around the world, he took me on a remarkable journey,” she wrote.

‘ERIN’

Perry’s sober coach and friend, known only as Erin, lived with him at his Malibu pad during the Covid-19 pandemic and even joined him during a stint in rehab.

The star said he “stole” her from her previous workplace when they formed a bond.

Erin would lie in a double bed next to his throughout his rehab stays, he wrote in his memoir.

“I’d met her two years earlier, at another rehab where she had been working at the time,” he wrote about the start of their friendship.

“I didn’t get sober back then, but I saw how wonderful she was in every way and promptly stole her from that sober living rehab and made her my assistant, and she became my best friend.”

JON PAUL CRIMI

After Perry’s death, his personal trainer and friend, Jon Paul Crimi, said, “We all struggle from time to time, even non-addicts, but Matthew seemed to be doing well.”

In a moving video tribute to Perry, he said that “Grief is tricky. Grief is love with no place to go.”

He spoke about how he learned breathwork and began teaching it to others, including Perry, who told him that “this is your gift”.

SIERRA KENER

Friends and Perry’s longtime hairstylist Sierra Kener wrote of her devastation at his passing on her Instagram.

Fans also paid tribute to Matthew Perry outside the "Friends" building in New York. Picture: John Lamparski/Getty Images

“It was an absolute honor to have worked with such a talented and kind soul over the years,” she wrote.

“His legacy will continue to bring laughter and inspiration to all.”

MATT MANASSE

Hours before he passed away, Perry was doing one of his favourite activities - playing pickleball.

His friend and pickleball coach, Matt Manasse, told People magazine that pickleball “was an outlet for him and a tool he used on his sobriety journey.”

“He thought it was something that could help with his recovery and he was doing an awesome job. He loved it. He came out five times a week, would always talk about it,” Manasse said.

“He got so much better, always made everyone laugh. He was competitive, just a genuine, good guy - caring for everybody.

“He had so much that he was doing with his rehab facility and trying to get people clean. He would bring them to teach them pickleball. He was just always trying to help people.

“... We went to dinner together. I was over at his place for the Super Bowl. He cared about other people. He was a really good person.”

The Friends cast. Picture: Lee Celano/AFP

Perry’s Friends co-stars also thought the world of him. Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matt Le Blanc released a joint statement at their dear friend’s passing.

““We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family,” their statement read.

“There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss. In time we will say more, as and when we are able.

“For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”