05 November 2023 , 00:28
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Matthew Perry was laid to rest in a private memorial service on Friday at the Forest Lawn Church of the Hills at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles.
The 54-year-old Friends star passed away at home last week. His final send-off was attended by a small group of loved ones, with his former Friends cast mates amongst the mourners, and it has been claimed that the Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush duet Don't Give Up was played at the end of the emotional ceremony.
The cemetery is opposite Warner Bros Studios, where the hit series was filmed for 10 seasons. While many of the exterior and cityscape shots were filmed in New York, almost the entire show was filmed and produced at the famous California studios.
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(SPLASH)Perry has been interred at a graveyard populated by scores of celebrities. Some of the other Hollywood megastars buried at cemetery, including Bette Davis, Stan Laurel, Carrie Fisher and Marilyn Monroe.
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Brittany Murphy was laid to rest there in 2009; Fast and the Furious star Paul Walker was buried there in 2013; and the youngest Bee Gee, Andy Gibb, was laid to rest there in 1988.
Other late stars buried at the cemetery include INXS frontman Michael Hutchence and actress and Ellen DeGeneres' ex, Anne Heche. There are a total of five Forest Lawns in the Los Angeles area. The first was founded by Hubert Eaton and its distinctive open and flat layout has been replicated multiple times throughout the United States.
(FilmMagic)Matthew's tearful mother Suzanne Morrison, 84, and Dateline journalist stepfather Keith, 76, were both at the private event on Friday, along with his father John Perry, 82. Keith has been married to Matthew's mother Suzanne Perry since 1981 and welcomed four more children - Caitlin, Emily, Will and Madeline - with her, but treated the Friends actor as his own.
In a statement, the family wrote: "We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother. Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend. You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love."
On the day of his funeral, it was also revealed that his family have established a foundation in the late star's honour. The foundation will aim to "help other struggling with the disease of addiction".
(WireImage)
FILE - OCTOBER 28: Actor Matthew Perry, best known for his role in the TV show 'Friends,' has reportedly died at age 54, according to TMZ. LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: Actor Matthew Perry speaks onstage during the 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Getty Images)In a statement, the organisation said: "The Matthew Perry Foundation is the realization of Matthew’s enduring commitment to helping others struggling with the disease of addiction.
"It will honour his legacy and be guided by his own words and experiences and driven by his passion for making a difference in as many lives as possible.”
Referencing a quote by Perry on its website, the Matthew Perry Foundation added: "When I die, I don’t want Friends to be the first thing that’s mentioned – I want helping others to be the first thing that’s mentioned and I’m going to live the rest of my life proving that. Addiction is far too powerful for anyone to defeat alone. But together, one day at a time, we can beat it down."