Matt Manasse honors his friend who used the popular sport to aid in his rehabilitation in an emotional interview.
Just hours before he passed away, Matthew Perry was doing what he loved.
The actor passed away on Saturday at the age of 54. His friend and pickleball coach is now telling PEOPLE how much the popular sport meant to him. Having known the Friends star for two years, Matt Manasse claims it served as both a tool and an outlet for him during his sober journey.
Manasse, 35, says, “He thought it was something that could help with his recovery and he was doing an awesome job.” He cherished it. He would always talk about it and would come out five times a week. He improved tremendously and never failed to make people laugh. In addition to being a sincere good man who cared for everyone, he was competitive.
Manasse, known for being the “Pickleball Coach to the Stars,” instructs students at the Riviera Country Club, a private members club in Pacific Palisades that is close to the actor’s residence in the Los Angeles area.
Only a few hours before he was discovered dead in his adjacent home, Perry played a match there. Manasse doesn’t find it surprising that his pal was on the court early that day. He was actually informed that the actor was “doing really well.” The cause of the actor’s death is yet unknown.
“It was just Matthew and me when I started playing pickleball [with him],” the man claims. After that, we would invite more folks. According to Manasse, the actor enjoyed playing in the Riviera with a different coach. She was Perry’s pickleball partner on Saturday, and Manasse contacted her as soon as he learned of the star’s passing.
She responded, “Yes, he would emerge.” She stated that he had been playing exceptionally well on the court, which wasn’t surprising, but she didn’t mention for how long.
“Pickleball was his outlet,” Manasse continues. He was quite excited about it. He was a competitive man, but not in a negative sense. He cherished it. He desired to be seen. He desired victory. He cherished it. He would tell you about incredible shots he made for days.
Aside from his passion for the game, Manasse claims Perry used pickleball to maintain his sobriety and assist others in their own healing. Perry was upfront about his years-long addiction to alcohol and prescription medications.
“He was trying to get people clean and had a lot going on with his rehab facility,” Manasse recalls. “He would take them to learn pickleball from him. He simply tried to assist others all the time.
This also applies to Manasse, who was attempting to establish himself as the go-to pickleball coach as the sport gained appeal among Hollywood’s upper class. He claims that Perry offered him support, saying, “Whatever you need.” I’m here to help you with anything you need.
Manasse explains, “That was just the kind of guy he was.” Together, we headed out to supper. I spent the Super Bowl at his house. He had empathy for other individuals. He was a truly kind individual.
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The heartbroken coach says he wants everyone to know that his friend “Matty” was “a guy that wanted to help people and was selfless.” He last spoke to the star the week before the star passed away.
He tells PEOPLE, “He cared about everyone—your day was better when you saw him or when he called.” “He never passed up the chance to make you laugh with a clever joke. Just an all-around amazing person. His heart was of gold, and that should be known to all.
