Lisa Kudrow recently shared a heartfelt revelation about her late Friends co-star and close friend,. During an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, Kudrow disclosed that Perry had gifted her the iconic “Cookie Time” cookie jar from the Friends set after the cast filmed the series finale in January 2004. What she didn’t realize until 20 years later—after Perry’s passing in October 2023—was that he had left a hidden note inside the jar.
The discovery of the note, which Kudrow stumbled upon recently, has become a bittersweet reminder of their enduring friendship. While Kudrow chose not to share the exact contents of the letter, she reflected on the poignant timing of its rediscovery, remarking, “Timing is everything.”
Lisa Kudrow and Matthew Perry’s The Cookie Jar and a Friendship Full of Humor
When asked by Barrymore if she had ever stolen any props from a film or TV set, Kudrow hesitated before revealing her connection to the Friends cookie jar. Initially jokingly accused of taking the jar herself, Kudrow clarified, “No, Matthew gave that to me at the end of our last episode.” She added, “I had recently found the note that he had in it for me. I hadn’t opened it up or looked inside of it… but yeah, he did. He had a note in there, and I forgot about it.”
The cookie jar holds special significance for Kudrow and Perry, tied to an inside joke that emerged during the show. In a past interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Kudrow recalled a scene where her character, Phoebe Buffay, delivered the line, “Oh, I’m late. I better get going,” but realized mid-line that she wasn’t wearing a watch. Improvising, she gestured to the cookie jar as if it were a clock, saying, “Oh, look at the time. I better get going.” Perry had teased her afterward, asking, “Did you point to the cookie jar and say, ‘Look at the time’?” This playful exchange exemplifies the humor and camaraderie that defined their decade-long partnership on Friends.
A Legacy of Love and Laughter
Perry, who passed away at the age of 54 in October 2023, left an indelible mark on Kudrow and the rest of the Friends cast, including Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer. While the ensemble cast only reunited once in the 17 years between the Friends finale and the 2021 Friends: The Reunion special, the bond they shared was unshakeable.
Kudrow paid tribute to Perry on Instagram following his death, posting a heartfelt message alongside a photo of the two taken after they had filmed the Friends pilot. Her tribute read:
“Thank you for making me laugh so hard at something you said, that my muscles ached, and tears poured down my face EVERY DAY. Thank you for your open heart in a six-way relationship that required compromise. And a lot of ‘talking.’ Thank you for showing up at work when you weren’t well and then, being completely brilliant. Thank you for the best 10 years a person gets to have. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for all I learned about GRACE and LOVE through knowing you. Thank you for the time I got to have with you, Matthew.”
The Bond That Defined a Generation
Kudrow’s rediscovery of Perry’s note underscores the depth of their friendship and the legacy of love and laughter that Friends brought to millions of viewers. For Kudrow, Perry’s humor, resilience, and ability to bring joy—even amid personal struggles—remain unforgettable.
While the contents of the note remain a private piece of their shared history, the story behind the gift reflects the enduring connection between Kudrow and Perry. As Kudrow said, “Timing is everything,” and the rediscovered note is a fitting reminder of a friendship that continues to resonate, even after Perry’s untimely passing.