The 2023 Emmys on January 15 were colored by both revelry and grief as the industry mourned those whose stars went out. Still fresh on many minds was the death of Friends alum Matthew Perry, who was honored during the ceremony’s In Memoriam segment. However, there was no separate Friends reunion among the surviving cast in honor of his memory. Why? The Emmy producers explain.
The 2023 In Memoriam presentation at Monday’s Emmys ceremony showcased several industry giants, including legendary television writer Norman Lear, beloved drama and comedy actor Andre Baugher, Three’s Company icon Suzanne Somers, and, of course, Perry, who died on October 28 at the age of just 54.
The Emmy producers explain why the ‘Friends’ cast did not reunite to honor Matthew Perry with their own event
Executive producers Jesse Collins and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay revealed in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that there had been talks of hosting a reunion for the Friends cast at the ceremony. This would have seen Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, and Matt LeBlanc together to revisit Perry’s legacy just a little over two months after his passing.
Therein lies the issue.
“We had talked about it early on,” shared Collins. “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.”
Rouzan-Clay reaffirmed this statement, adding, “It’s still very fresh for them.”
The friends are still sticking together
Nevertheless, the tribute to Matthew Perry at the Emmys was still a highlight of the ceremony. Perry’s was the last name listed in the In Memoriam segment and to further emphasize the moment, musician Charlie Pluth gave a touching performance of “See You Again” before the music transitioned into the Friends theme, “I’ll Be There for You” by The Rembrandts.
Online, fans of Perry were drawn to tears.
Over the last few months, his castmates had been honoring his memory in their own ways as well. Jennifer Aniston on Instagram, “We all experience loss at some point in our lives. Loss of life or loss of love. Being able to really SIT in this grief allows you to feel the moments of joy and gratitude for having loved someone that deep.”
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Kudrow said, “Thank you for making me laugh so hard at something you said, that my muscles ached, and tears poured down my face EVERY DAY. Thank you for your open heart in a six way relationship that required compromise. And a lot of ‘talking.”
“I am so grateful for every moment I had with you Matty and I miss you every day,’ mourned Cox. LeBlanc vowed, “I will always smile when I think of you and I’ll never forget you. Never,” adding, “Spread your wings and fly brother you’re finally free. Much love.”
Schwimmer celebrated Perry’s comedic skills and compassion, saying, “I will never forget your impeccable comic timing and delivery. You could take a straight line of dialogue and bend it to your will, resulting in something so entirely original and unexpectedly funny it still astonishes. And you had heart. Which you were generous with, and shared with us, so we could create a family out of six strangers.”
MATTHEW PERRY
(1994-Current) / Everett Collection