Emmy producers reveal why ‘Friends’ cast skipped Matthew Perry tribute

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Although there were discussions to have Matthew Perry’s Friends castmates pay tribute to him at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards, the actor’s death was still too fresh for his fellow stars to take part in honouring the actor during the broadcast’s In Memoriam segment.

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“We had talked about it early on,” show producer Jesse Collins told The Hollywood Reporter of having
Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer reunite on Monday night to honour the Friends alum. “But I can imagine, from their side, they’re mourning someone who was still very close to them. I can’t speak for them, but we all have to respect that they were their own family. It was probably just a little too soon.”

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Fellow producer Jeannae Rouzan-Clay added that “it’s still very fresh for them.”

Perry figured prominently at the end of the Emmys’ In Memoriam segment as singer-songwriter Charlie Puth wove the Friends theme, I’ll Be There For You, into his hit song, See You Again, which he performed alongside husband and wife country duo The War and Treaty.

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Before closing with an image of Perry, the tribute honoured other television industry icons, including Norman Lear, Bob Barker, Paul Reubens, Treat Williams, Dame Angela Lansbury and Barbara Walters.

After detailing his long road to sobriety after a decades-long battle with drug and alcohol addiction in his 2022 memoir, Perry’s death rocked the showbiz world after he was found dead at age 54 in October following a ketamine overdose.

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner deemed his death an accident, and listed “drowning, coronary artery disease and buprenorphine effects” as contributing factors.

Before they posted their own individual tributes, Aniston, Cox, Kudrow, LeBlanc and Schwimmer issued a joint statement telling fans they were “devastated by the loss of Matthew.”

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“We were more than just cast mates. 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,” their statement read.

“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.”

Throughout his career, Perry earned five Emmy nominations in total, including one for his role as Chandler Bing on the long-running NBC sitcom and another for producing 2021’s Friends: The Reunion special.

Less than a week after his death, a foundation was established in his name to help people dealing with addiction.

“In the spirit of Matthew Perry’s enduring commitment to helping others struggling with the disease of addiction, we embark on a journey to honour his legacy by establishing the Matthew Perry Foundation, guided by his own words and experiences, and driven by his passion for making a difference in as many lives as possible,” said an inaugural statement establishing the Matthew Perry Foundation.

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When Perry was asked on the Q With Tom Power podcast what he wanted his legacy to be, the funnyman said he didn’t want Friends to be the thing that came to mind first.

“I would like to be remembered as somebody who lived well, loved well, was a seeker,” Perry replied during an onstage conversation in Toronto in November 2022. “And his paramount thing is that he wants to help people. That’s what I want.”

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X: @markhdaniell

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