According to a source close to the 51-year-old star, the actor needed emergency dental surgery hours before the interview was due to take place.
Amid the reunion’s release this week, Perry prompted concern from fans who commented that he appeared to be “dazed” and looked “unwell.”
Other fans, however, defended the actor against the comments regarding his appearance, stating the his history of drug and alcohol abuse could have resulted in changes.
Winston spoke to The Hollywood Reporter’s TV Top 5 podcast and reflected on the comments fans passed about Perry. “He (Perry) was great. People can sometimes be unkind,” he said.
“I wish they weren’t,” he added. “I loved working with him. He’s a brilliantly funny man and I thought he had some great one-liners in the show.”
“I felt just happy and lucky to be in his presence and directing him on something like this.”
Kevin Bright, another executive producer on Friends, told the outlet in another interview: “What people say is what people say. I don’t have any[thing] to say about that, except it was great to see him. And I think he’s very funny on the show.”
He added: “I think he’s OK. He seems stronger and better since the last time I saw him, and excited about going forward.”
Perry has previously spoken publicly about his struggles with addiction over the years.
Reports emerged that the actor had checked himself into a rehabilitation clinic on two occasions while filming Friends in 1997 and 2001.
