The Simpsons, detailed in an op-ed for The New York Times his first meeting with Perry, who died aged 54 last month (October 28).“We met almost 40 years ago, and he was, by far, the funniest friend I ever had,” Azaria wrote. “He also was the person who helped me get sober.”Perry, who had been open about his struggles with drugs and alcohol throughout his life, took Azaria to his first A.A.