Zac Efron has opened up about how he is struggling to process the death of Matthew Perry.
The pair starred together in the 2009 movie 17 Again, with Efron playing a younger version of Perry’s character.
He said: “Collaborating with him and [director Burr Steers] – it was so much fun and it really did propel me and motivate me in so many ways. It really pushed me into the next chapter of my career, for that, thank you so much Matthew.”
The High School Musical star has since shared some of his memories of the late actor, and how he had supported him at that time in his life.
“He was in a unique position for me in my career, and in my life,” Efron told Variety.
“His passing is affecting me a lot.”
Efron also spoke about how important Perry had been to him on a personal level, saying: “It can be incredibly lonely, being an actor and being in the spotlight. It definitely can be isolating.
![Matthew Perry was found dead in his hot tub on October 28. Credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images](https://images.ladbible.com/resize?type=jpeg&quality=70&width=648&fit=contain&gravity=null&url=https://images.ladbiblegroup.com/v3/assets/blt949ea8e16e463049/bltf2589246c8761bca/657ca78e836fd9040a9fd264/GettyImages-631611692.jpg)
“It’s very important to reach out to friends and foster relationships where you can talk and share stories. I wish in the past couple of years that I had an opportunity to do that with Matthew.”
He added: “I hold the time we shared together really dear.
“I’ve been thinking about him a lot, every day.”
![Efron admitted that Perry's death is 'affecting me a lot'. Credit: Steven Simione/FilmMagic](https://images.ladbible.com/resize?type=jpeg&quality=70&width=648&fit=contain&gravity=null&url=https://images.ladbiblegroup.com/v3/assets/blt949ea8e16e463049/blt9f6c401fbb1b4d44/657ca7bdeb644e040a2fbd9d/GettyImages-1849137588.jpg)
They wrote: “We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We ere more than just castmates. We are a family.
“There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss. In time we will say more, as and when we are able.
“For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”