Gwyneth Paltrow Breaks Silence On Fling With Matthew Perry Before Their Fame

Gwyneth Paltrow has taken a trip down memory lane about something she described as "a magical summer" that she once spent with the late Matthew Perry.

The "Friends" star's shocking passing has thrown the world into a blanket of mourning since it was announced. Tributes have poured in from left and right, including from Paltrow, who went deep to evoke a memory of their brief romance about three decades ago.

The "Glee" actress briefly had a thing with Perry in 1993 before he became famous on "Friends." Paltrow spoke highly of the late actor in a tribute on her Instagram page hours after his death was announced.

The actress disclosed that they met in the summer of that year and began their whirlwind romance at the Williamstown Theater Festival in Massachusetts, where they spent most of their partners doing plays. She partly wrote:

"He was so funny and so sweet and so much fun to be with. We drove out to swim in creeks, had beers in the local college bar, kissed in a field of long grass. It was a magical summer."

The actress continued explaining that Perry had shot the pilot of "Friends" by then, but it had not yet aired, so he stayed hopeful. She added that they remained "friends for a while until we drifted apart, but I was always happy to see him when I did. 

Paltrow did not mince words on how "super sad" Perry's death had left her and many others, as she concluded by writing, "I hope Matthew is at peace at long last. I really do."

Last November, The Blast reported that Perry discussed his hot romance with Paltrow in his memoir, "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing," which detailed his life before and after "Friends" aired.

The actor spoke about his other romantic interests, including co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, and Courteney Cox, which made his work on set a bit complicated.

He added that his attempt at exploring things with Aniston was met by a defeating "No," as Aniston just wanted to be friends with him. On his escapades with Paltrow, the star said:

 "I filled that summer with three notable things — gambling in Vegas at the behest of director Jimmy Burrows, a trip to Mexico on my own; and a make-out session in a closet with Gwyneth Paltrow."

True to Paltrow's tribute, Perry recalled they met in Williamstown at a big party where they both "slipped off into a broom cupboard and made out." He added that they were both still unpopular, so it did not make it to the tabloids, but Jimmy Burrows gave him a reality check. Perry concluded his account of the meeting by writing:

"This was the last summer of my life when I could make out at a party with a beautiful young woman called Gwyneth, and no one, save Gwyneth and I, cared."

While initial sources disclosed that the 54-year-old was found lifeless in the hot tub at this residence on Saturday, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office has announced it would require additional investigative steps.

Perry's death is now being tagged as "deferred" pending toxicology reports and autopsy results. As it stands, it is difficult to determine what led to his death until the coroner gets his blood work.

Hours before his passing, the actor was reportedly involved in a 2-hour game of pickleball, during which he sent his assistant out for a quick errand. Upon the assistant's arrival, Perry's body was found cold and unresponsive, leading to a 911 call at his residence.

Medical officials reportedly found a few prescription medications that were not illicit drugs at his home, which temporarily displaced rumors that he died from an overdose.

Antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and a COPD drug prescribed for patients with severe respiratory conditions like emphysema or chronic bronchitis were among the drugs discovered in his home. The "Don't Look Up" actor has previously battled with drug abuse, and in his memoir, he came clean about it and wrote:

"Hi, my name is Matthew, although you may know me by another name. My friends call me Matty. And I should be dead. People would be surprised to know that I have mostly been sober since 2001. Save for about sixty or seventy little mishaps over the years."

Perry had been to the rehab 17 times and had a close shave with death following opioid abuse.