In a heartfelt tribute, actor Hank Azaria expressed his gratitude to his longtime friend and colleague, Matthew Perry, for playing a crucial role in his journey to sobriety. As reported by Deadline, Azaria shared a touching video on Instagram, recounting the support he received from the Friends star during his battle with addiction.

Azaria, known for his recurring role on Friends, revealed that Perry was instrumental in introducing him to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). "The night I went into AA, Matthew brought me in," Azaria recalled. The two actors then attended meetings together throughout Azaria's first year of sobriety. Reflecting on their friendship, Azaria described Perry as caring, giving, and wise, acknowledging his significant contribution to his recovery. Azaria expressed his wish that Perry could have maintained a more consistent commitment to a sober lifestyle.

The actors first crossed paths while working on the pilot episode of Morning Maggie. "Matthew was the first friend I made in Los Angeles," Azaria shared. At the time, Azaria was 21 years old, while Perry was only 16. Their friendship blossomed, becoming more like that of brothers. They supported each other during the early stages of their careers, spending time together, sharing laughter, and relying on one another.

Azaria reminisced about Perry's infectious sense of humor, both on-screen and in real life, describing him as someone who lived to laugh. However, the actor also acknowledged Perry's well-documented struggle with substance abuse, expressing his love for him and emphasizing the deep impact it had on those who cared about him. Azaria lamented the loss of the person they knew, stating that addiction had stolen him away long before his untimely death.

Closing his tribute, Azaria spoke of Perry's brilliance as an actor, and that the world has been robbed of seeing the potential of his future career. The Friends star was found dead at his home in Pacific Palisades on Saturday, at the age of 54. The exact cause of death is yet to be determined pending toxicology tests, as announced by the Los Angeles County coroner.

The heartfelt tribute from Hank Azaria sheds light on an important aspect of Matthew Perry's life that often remained behind the scenes. It serves as a reminder of the impact of addiction and the need for ongoing support and understanding for those struggling with substance abuse.

The entertainment industry mourns the loss of Matthew Perry, remembering him not only for his talent on-screen but also for the profound impact he had on those closest to him.