Matthew Perry slurred his words and had a thousand-yard stare in a video to promote the much-anticipated “Friends” reunion — leaving fans worried about his well-being.
A clip showing the 51-year-old actor with an odd gaze and a labored speech pattern was posted to People magazine’s website and YouTube on Wednesday to promote the HBO Max special, which was shot in April and will air May 27.
Perry appeared with former co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc as they talked about what it was like to get back together to shoot the legendary sitcom one more time.
At one point, Perry sounded slurred while answering a question about whether he ever took a souvenir from the old set after the end of the show in 2004.
“I stole the cookie jar that had the clock on it,” he said, pronouncing a distinct “sh” sound at the beginning of “stole.”
The statement, and other off-sounding comments, stunned fans.
“Just saw People interview and can’t believe how Matthew Perry looks like… seriously it breaks my heart,” one fan tweeted after seeing the video.
Another fan wrote, “It pains me to see Matthew Perry like this, he just seems off, gazing at the void, speaking slowly.”
“Hate to say it, but I’m sad and scared like hell for Matthew Perry,” a third viewer added. “Damn, Matthew Perry in those PEOPLE Friends interviews.”
One more tweeted: “Just watched @people exclusive interview clip of Friends casts and the time hasn’t been kind. I hope Matthew Perry is okay. Damn how much I love them.”
The “Friends” cast reunited at Stage 24 at Warner Bros. Studios in LA, the show’s home for its 10-season run on NBC.
Perry has long been open about his struggles with addiction.
His problems reached a dangerous point after a 1997 jet-ski accident left him addicted to Vicodin.
“I was out of control and very unhealthy,” he told People at the time.
Perry has confessed that he doesn’t recall filming multiple seasons — during which viewers could see his drastic weight loss. By 2001, he was drinking vodka by the quart and showing up to work hung over.
“I don’t remember three years of it,” he told BBC Radio 2 in 2016. “Somewhere between Seasons 3 and 6 … I was a little out of it.”
In September 2018, the actor was released from a hospital after spending three months recovering from gastrointestinal surgery.
He is now happily engaged to literary manager Molly Hurwitz, who accompanied him to the reunion.
As The Post revealed last month, Perry had particular support from castmate Cox, 56, as well as a sober coach who lived close to him in Malibu.
Schwimmer, who played Ross Geller in the show, told People in Wednesday’s story: “Over the years we’ve all struggled with different obstacles and challenges, and I think in those times it’s been nice to reach out and touch base and have a call.”
Reps for Perry did not immediately return a request for comment.
