Kelly Rizzo, the widow of comedian Bob Saget, recently shared heartfelt advice with the cast of the popular television series “Friends” following the sudden passing of their co-star Matthew Perry.
Rizzo, 44, spoke exclusively with Page Six, offering her sympathy and encouragement to the ensemble of the iconic sitcom during this challenging time.
Drawing parallels between her experience with the “Full House” cast and the friendship among the “Friends” cast, Rizzo emphasized the profound closeness within both groups. She advised the grieving co-stars to “hold on to each other tight and be appreciative of the fact that you have such amazing people that you’re surrounded by.”
Recalling the aftermath of her husband’s passing in January last year, Rizzo highlighted the significance of mutual support, sharing how Saget’s co-stars were instrumental in helping her cope. Saget played Danny Tanner, the father of the family, on “Full House”, another iconic ensemble TV series.
Rizzo further commented on the familial bond shared within the casts of both “Full House” and “Friends.” “I’m sure that they’re really going through it right now because the ‘Full House’ cast did the same. They were really a family, and the ‘Friends’ cast, from what I know, was like really, really, truly a family as well,” she explained. She believes that Perry’s co-stars are likely finding solace in each other, as she did with the “Full House” cast.
The news of Matthew Perry’s death on October 28, 2023, at 54 years old, shook the entertainment world. Tributes poured in from numerous Hollywood stars, including George Takei, Nancy Sinatra, and Jason Alexander. Perry was best known for his portrayal of Chandler Bing on “Friends,” a role that impacted sitcom history.
Co-stars from “Friends” shared their memories and tributes to Perry. Maggie Wheeler, who played Janice, a character closely associated with Perry’s Chandler, was among the first to mourn his passing publicly. Morgan Fairchild, who portrayed Chandler Bing’s mother Nora, expressed her heartbreak, calling Perry’s loss “a shock.” Selma Blair, another co-star, referred to Perry as her “oldest boyfriend” in a touching tribute.
Two days after Perry’s death, the core “Friends” cast members released a joint statement: “We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family,” they wrote. They conveyed their love and thoughts to Perry’s family and friends and acknowledged the need for time to process this loss.