During the BAFTA Television Awards, a touching tribute was paid to Matthew Perry in the ceremony’s In Memoriam section. The former Friends star, who was beloved by many, passed away last October at the age of 54. Matthew Perry was the last name to appear in the montage, which also featured several clips from his time on the hugely popular sitcom. One of those clips was from the classic episode The One With Ross’s Tan, where Perry’s character Chandler delivers some unforgettable lines. Another clip showcased Chandler being enthusiastically hugged by his best friend Joey, played by Matt LeBlanc. The tribute left many fans emotional and served as a reminder of the incredible talent and impact that Matthew Perry had during his career.
The recent TV Bafta ceremony paid tribute to several big names from the television industry who passed away in the last year. The ceremony included a segment that highlighted the contributions of many legends in front of and behind the camera who are gone, but not forgotten. Some of the prominent figures who were featured in the segment included the legendary talk show presenter Michael Parkinson, Dad’s Army star Ian Lavender, and prolific TV and film actor Bernard Hill.
Moreover, the tribute also honored the likes of Gen V actor Chance Perdomo, poet and Peaky Blinders star Benjamin Zephaniah, newsreader George Alagiah and The Windsors’ Haydn Gwynne, among many others. Host Romesh Ranganathan acknowledged the great contributions of these talented personalities and expressed his condolences for their loss.
Interestingly, Perry’s absence from a similar list at February’s BAFTA Film Awards had left some fans to question his omission. However, a response from BAFTA at the time explained that he would be remembered at the TV ceremony instead. And that’s what exactly happened. Perry’s life and contributions to the industry were remembered at the TV Bafta ceremony.
In the wake of Perry’s passing, his Friends co-stars David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and Jennifer Aniston expressed their deep grief and sorrow and said they were “utterly devastated” by the news. They also stated that they were more than just castmates, they were a family. Each of them later issued individual statements paying tribute to their former co-star and remembering the incredible moments they had shared together during their time on the show.
Perry will always be remembered for his iconic role as Chandler, and his contributions to films such as Three to Tango, The Whole Nine Yards, and 17 Again, as well as making appearances in TV shows including Ally McBeal, The West Wing, and The Good Wife. Additionally, his life and legacy were honored at this year’s Emmy Awards, though his Friends co-stars were absent for the emotional tribute. The Emmys executive producer Jeannae Rouzan-Clay explained that while she can’t speak for them, they all have to respect that they were their own family and it was probably just a little too soon for them.
