Late “Friends” star Matthew Perry was honored during the Emmys’ “In Memoriam” section on Monday (January 15). The ceremony featured a cover of the sitcom’s theme song, “I’ll Be There for You.”
Pop singer Charlie Puth and singer-songwriter duo The War and Treaty, who performed together on the night, began with Ruth’s “See You Again” before performing an emotional version of the theme song from “Friends.”
Perry is best known for his role as the witty, sarcastic Chandler Bing on Friends in the ’90s and early 2000s. He appeared in more than 200 episodes of the sitcom over ten seasons.
Mourning for the actor
His colleagues paid tribute to their late friend in a statement following his death. Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer. Your joint statement, published by People, said: “We are all deeply devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just acting colleagues. We were a family. There is so much to say, but for now we will take time to grieve and process this unimaginable loss. Over time we will say more when we are able. Now our thoughts and love go out to Matty’s family, his friends and everyone who loved him around the world.”
Matthew Perry was found dead in the hot tub at his Los Angeles mansion on October 29th. The toxicology test and autopsy later revealed that the actor fainted due to “acute effects of ketamine” and eventually drowned. An opioid painkiller (buprenorphine) was also found in the blood. Coronary heart disease, which was indicated in the report, could also have contributed to the mime’s death.
Other deceased (TV) stars were also honored at the “In Memoriam” ceremony at the 2023 Emmys. These included Andre Braugher, Lance Reddick, Paul Reubens, Angela Lansbury, Kirstie Alley.