Lisa Kudrow Discovers Matthew Perry’s Hidden Note in ‘Friends’ Cookie Jar

Lisa Kudrow revealed during an interview on “The Drew Barrymore Show” that she recently discovered a heartfelt note from the late Matthew Perry inside the iconic “Friends” cookie jar he gifted her after the series finale in 2004. The revelation came as Kudrow reflected on her time working with Perry and the bond they shared during their decade-long run on the beloved NBC sitcom.

Kudrow, who played Phoebe Buffay on “Friends,” shared that Perry had left the note in the “Cookie Time” jar, a prop from the show, but she had forgotten about it until recently. “I had recently found the note that he had in it for me. I hadn’t opened it up or looked inside of it,” Kudrow said. Though she did not disclose the contents of the note, she mused, “Timing is everything.”

The cookie jar was a gift from Perry to Kudrow after filming the final episode of “Friends” in January 2004. The show, which aired for 10 seasons and 236 episodes, became a cultural phenomenon and cemented the cast—Kudrow, Perry, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer—as household names. Perry, who played Chandler Bing, passed away in October 2023 at the age of 54.

Kudrow paid tribute to Perry shortly after his death, sharing a photo of the two at the NBC Upfronts after filming the “Friends” pilot. In an emotional Instagram post, she wrote, “Thank you for making me laugh so hard at something you said, that my muscles ached, and tears poured down my face EVERY DAY.” She also thanked Perry for his “open heart” and the lessons she learned about “GRACE and LOVE” through their friendship.

The rediscovery of the note highlights the enduring bond between the “Friends” cast. Kudrow previously shared that the group only met once in the 17 years between the series finale and the filming of the 2021 reunion special, “Friends: The Reunion.” Despite the distance, the cast remained close, with Kudrow describing their relationship as one that required “compromise” and a lot of “talking.”

Perry’s gift of the cookie jar also carried a humorous backstory. Kudrow recounted on a 2020 episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” that during a scene, she had pointed to the jar and said, “Look at the time,” as an improvised line. Perry later approached her and joked, “Did you point to the cookie jar and say, ‘Look at the time’?” The moment became a cherished memory for Kudrow, encapsulating the humor and camaraderie that defined their time on the show.

Kudrow’s discovery of the note serves as a poignant reminder of Perry’s impact on her life and the legacy of “Friends.” As she told Barrymore, “Timing is everything,” a sentiment that resonates deeply in light of Perry’s passing and the enduring love fans have for the show.