Mia Bowick, the sister of late actor Matthew Perry, has publicly shared her memories of his funeral for the first time in the new Netflix documentary series "The One About Matthew Perry". The three-part project, dedicated to the Friends star's life, his battle with addiction, and his creative journey, premieres on October 27, 2026.
Emotional funeral memories and unexpected laughter
Documentary director Mary Robertson highlighted Bowick's account of saying goodbye to her brother as one of the most powerful and emotionally heavy scenes in the project. The actor's sister recalled an unexpected moment when she could not stop laughing during the ceremony. According to her, she felt at that moment as if Matthew was standing right behind her right shoulder and saying how silly it all was. This unexpected internal dialogue made her laugh at the worst possible moment.
As director Mary Robertson noted, showing humor at a funeral is not uncommon and does not diminish the depth of human grief. Such episodes reflect Perry's unique personality, his comedic gift, and people's ability to react differently to intense pain and loss. Mia Bowick herself felt an inner readiness to open up about all aspects of her brother's life and passing.
Meeting the Friends cast
During the farewell ceremony, Mia Bowick met the actors who worked alongside her brother in the popular sitcom for the first time in 20 years. Jennifer Aniston was the first to approach her, giving the grieving sister a tight hug. Following her, other members of the cast expressed their support.
Later, all five key actors of the series approached Matthew Perry's casket, holding hands and holding back tears. At the same time, the sitcom stars and family members decided not to personally participate in the filming of the documentary project. According to the director, the team approached them with an offer, but the refusal was accepted with full understanding, as everyone processes loss in their own way.
The actor's legacy and remembrance
Matthew Perry passed away in October 2023 at the age of 54, with acute ketamine effects cited as the cause of death. Law enforcement agencies investigated and established the involvement of five people in the illegal supply of the drug, including the actor's personal assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, intermediary Erik Fleming, and drug dealer Jasveen Sangha, all of whom faced punishment. The actor was laid to rest on November 3 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park cemetery in Los Angeles.
The documentary series "The One About Matthew Perry" aims to remind viewers of the artist's career, his struggle with severe addictions, and the indelible mark he left on television history. The project brings together memories of loved ones, creating an honest portrait of a person whose comedic talent and personal vulnerability touched millions of viewers worldwide.
