The Hollywood actress is still coming to terms with the loss of her father and was due to mark yesterday’s first anniversary of his death at a small family gathering at her Bel Air mansion.

A close business source who has known her more than two decades said: “It’s hit her that she’s lost two of the most important men in her life in the space of 12 months and she’s reeling.”

Aniston had long since reconciled with her father – veteran TV soap star John Aniston – following what she called a decades-long “difficult relationship” after her parents divorced when she was nine years old.

And Perry, whose apparent drowning in his hot tub aged 54 has stunned the showbiz world, was “much, much more than a cast mate,” according to the source, who added: “He was like a brother to her. Jen was badly hit by her father’s death and was really only coming to terms with his passing when the terrible news about Matty hit her like a ton of bricks.

“She’s still in a state of shock over him and now the anniversary of her dad’s death has plunged her into even deeper grief. She’s utterly distraught.”

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The actress, 54, was photographed alongside her former Friends cast mates – Courteney Cox, 59, Lisa Kudrow, 60, David Schwimmer, 57, and Matt LeBlanc, 56 – at Perry’s private funeral in LA.

Despite her anguish, she is said to be helping plan a possible public memorial service for the comedy icon, who had
struggled with drug and alcohol addictions most of his adult life.

His cause of death is still being listed as “deferred” by the LA County Medical Examiner’s Office, pending “additional investigative steps”. These are believed to include further blood toxicology tests. The LAPD has ruled out “foul play.”

Following his death, America’s National Philanthropic Trust has established the Matthew Perry Foundation to help victims of addiction – a crusade the Canadian-born actor personally devoted much of his time to, even setting up a recovery house in his former Malibu mansion.

Aniston, meanwhile, was expected to be joined this weekend by her half-brothers – John Melick III and Alexander – as well as other relatives, to pay tribute to her father John, who died from natural causes aged 89.

He starred in the NBC daytime soap Days Of Our Lives for 37 years – winning an Emmy Award like his far more famous daughter – and was still shooting scenes days before he died peacefully at home.

His daughter’s pal said: “He and Jen had many turbulent years but eventually reconciled and grew very close.” Aniston had also been estranged for several years from her mother, former actress and model Nancy Dow, who died in 2016 aged 79.

“With her dad gone, and now Matty, she feels lost and bewildered. I think she’s been the hardest hit of anyone by Matty’s death and losing them both in the space of a year has left her in real pain and turmoil.”

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