Matthew Perry Apologizes After Backlash For Questioning Why Keanu Reeves 'Still Walks Among Us' In Memoir

KEY POINTS

Matthew Perry got roasted for asking why Keanu Reeves "still walks among us" in his memoir
The "Friends" alum said he's actually a big fan of Reeves and only chose a random name
Perry said he should have just used his own name instead of Reeves'

Matthew Perry issued an apology after receiving an intense backlash online for seemingly questioning why Keanu Reeves "still walks among us" in his memoir.

The "Friends" alum cleared the air after several netizens wondered if he has bitter hatred toward the "Matrix" star due to the way he mentioned Reeves in his tome "Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing." Perry acknowledged his mistake and said he just "chose a random name."

"I'm actually a big fan of Keanu. I just chose a random name, my mistake. I apologize. I should have used my own name instead," Perry said in a statement to People.

In his book, Perry, 53, talked about his friendship with late actors River Phoenix and Chris Farley, who both passed away due to overdose. He made his debut film with Reeves' longtime best friend, Phoenix, in the 1988 movie "A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon." He also starred with Farley in the comedy film "Almost Heroes" in the same year.

"River was a beautiful man, inside and out — too beautiful for this world, it turned out. It always seems to be the really talented guys who go down. Why is it that the original thinkers like River Phoenix and Heath Ledger die, but Keanu Reeves still walks among us?" Perry wrote in his book.

He made another reference to the "John Wick" actor when he mentioned Farley's death.

"His disease had progressed faster than mine had. (Plus, I had a healthy fear of the word 'heroin,' a fear we did not share). I punched a hole through Jennifer Aniston's dressing room wall when I found out. Keanu Reeves walks among us," Perry wrote.

Several netizens and celebrities reacted after learning about Matthew's mention of Reeves in his memoir.

"Keanu is such a sweetheart. This is not a good look for Perry. What a d--k," royal commentator and "To Di For Daily" podcast host Kinsey Schofield tweeted.

"Wonder Woman" star Lynda Carter also commented on the issue, writing, "Come on... Keanu Reeves is like one of those frozen cakes. Nobody doesn't like him!"

"Snow White" star Rachel Zegler also showed her support for Reeves. "Personally thrilled that Keanu Reeves walks among us," she tweeted.

"Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing" will hit shelves on Nov. 1.