Zac Efron regrets not reaching out to Matthew Perry before death as he reflects on 'lonely' life of actors

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Actor Zac Efron has discussed the amount of labor he put into his next movie 'Iron Claw' and how he cannot go a day without thinking of his late co-star and 'Friends' actor Matthew Perry.

Before the pro-wrestling biopic's premiere, the 'High School Musical' alum opened up on how intensely he trained for the role in a Variety article and acknowledged that he became "obsessed."

Efron admitted that his early exposure to the profession has affected other aspects of his life. However, Efron realized the value of friends and family after Perry died in October 2023.

Matthew Perry's death is affecting Zac Efron 'a lot'

In Variety's most recent cover story, the 36-year-old actor discussed Perry, who died away in October 2023.

"I hold the time we shared together really dear. I’ve been thinking about him a lot, every day," Efron explained. "He was in a unique position for me in my career, and in my life. His passing is affecting me a lot."

The two actors shared a scene together in '17 Again' in 2009. In the comedy, Perry plays a struggling father on the brink of divorce who is mysteriously altered into his younger adolescent self.

On Monday, December 11, the 'Iron Claw' actor honored the 'Friends' alum while accepting his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

"I also want to mention someone that's not here today and that's Matthew Perry, who was so kind and generous with me as we worked on 17 Again," he said, per OK! Magazine.

Efron added, "Collaborating with him and Burr Steers was so much fun and it really did propel me and motivated me. In so many ways, it really pushed me into that next chapter of my career and for that, thank you so much, Matthew, thinking about you today."

Zac Efron says it would be an 'honor' to portray Matthew Perry in biopic

During the premiere of 'The Iron Claw' movie, Efron talked about how he had heard Perry express a desire for Efron to play him in a biopic. Athenna Crosby, the late actor's friend who was pictured with him the day before he died, reportedly told Entertainment Tonight about Perry's aspirations.

Efron said at the premiere that it would be an honor. He told ET, "I heard that, and it’s a huge honor. Matthew is, you know, the best guy in the world. I had the best time of my life working with him."

Efron further added, "To think that he was thinking of me for that role. I would be honored to do it, to be honest."

Zac Efron says being an actor may be 'lonely' and 'isolating'

In contrast to the archetypal example of traditional masculinity he portrays onscreen, Efron permits himself to experience and accept his feelings.

Efron, who describes himself as a perfectionist at work, said, "That necessity to be perfect — it became an obsession. It was a singular focus for months. And your life goes out the window during prep."

He revealed to the publication that he engaged in volume training and several hours of daily exercise to achieve his goal of gaining fifteen pounds of muscle for his most recent endeavor.

The former 'High School Musical' actor claimed that he needs to constantly remind himself that "life is way too short" since his perfectionist impulses often take over.

The actor said that growing up in the entertainment industry may be challenging. Efron admitted that "being in the spotlight" and being an actor may be "lonely" and "isolating."

"It can be incredibly lonely, being an actor and being in the spotlight. It definitely can be isolating," he said in the Variety interview.

Emphasizing the importance of friends and family, the Disney alum said, "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," Efron added.