For Asking Why Keanu Reeves “Still Walks Among Us,” Matthew Perry Issues an Apology

Recent news stories about the “Friends” alum’s forthcoming biography focused on portions that seemed to be insulting to Reeves.

In his upcoming book Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, Matthew Perry apologises for references to Keanu Reeves.

In some of the excerpts from the memoir that have been published online, the Friends alum discusses his own struggles with substance abuse and bemoans the loss of his former co-stars Chris Farley and River Phoenix to addiction while Reeves “still walks among us.” The memoir will be available on Nov. 1 from Flatiron Books.

I’m actually a great fan of Keanu, Perry stated in a statement distributed to media sites, including People. My error: I just picked a name at random. I’m sorry. Instead, I ought to have used my real name.

As has been widely reported, Perry calls Phoenix, with whom he co-starred in the 1988 movie A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon, “a lovely man, inside and out,” in the book. It always seems to be the very talented ones who go down, Perry continues, referring to the actor who passed away from a heroin overdose in 1993. Why does Keanu Reeves still live among us when creative thinkers like Heath Ledger and River Phoenix pass away?

When recalling Farley, who killed tragically from a drug overdose in December 1997, five months before the theatrical release of the pair’s comedy Almost Heroes, Perry brings up Reeves once more.

He writes on the deceased Saturday Night Live star, “When I learned, I punched a hole in the wall of Jennifer Aniston’s dressing room. We can see Keanu Reeves among us. Two weeks after his passing, I had to advertise Almost Heroes, which required me to talk about his drug and alcohol-related death in public. I was intoxicated the whole time.

There is no additional explanation in Perry’s book as to why Reeves’ name was brought up. Phoenix and Reeves co-starred in the 1991 picture My Own Private Idaho, however Perry doesn’t appear to have any shared film or television credits with Reeves. Reeves has been candid about their strong friendship and the sadness the loss has brought him ever since Phoenix passed away.

Requests for comment from Perry and the publisher’s representatives were not immediately entertained.

For important details from Perry’s book, including recollections from the Friends movies and his battle with addiction, click here.