Fans expressed shock and outrage after Matthew Perry, beloved for his role as Chandler Bing in Friends, was noticeably absent from the “In Memoriam” segment at the 76th Emmy Awards. The event, which was held on September 15 at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theatre, honored Hollywood stars who passed away, but Perry’s omission sparked widespread criticism.
Outraged fans took to social media to condemn the snub, labeling it “disrespectful.” The glaring absence left many questioning the Emmy’s tribute selection process. Perry, who played the fan-favorite Friends character, passed tragically on October 28, 2023, at age 54, due to a ketamine overdose.
Matthew Perry was not the only name omitted from the ‘In Memoriam’ segment
The Emmy Awards’ annual “In Memoriam” tribute recognized industry greats such as Bob Newhart, Carl Weathers, Donald Sutherland, and James Earl Jones, but Perry’s exclusion sparked widespread disappointment and confusion among fans and fellow celebrities.
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Apart from Perry’s omission, there were other notable omissions, including Shelley Duvall, Joe Flaherty, Johnny Wactor, and Chita Rivera. Shelley Duvall, a two time-Emmy-nominated actress, was surprisingly left out despite her significant television career, including Faerie Tale Theatre and Shelley Duvall’s Bedtime Stories. Her passing in July 2024 at 75 marked the end of a tumultuous life, marred by mental illness and personal struggles.
Another industry professional overlooked in the tribute was Johnny Wactor, who was fatally shot in May at 37 after starring in General Hospital. Broadway legend Chita Rivera, who passed away in January at 91, and Treat Williams, an actor who died in a motorcycle crash in June 2023 at 71.
Emmys claim Matthew Perry was not snubbed
The Emmys quickly responded to the outrage, clarifying that Perry was already honored at the 75th Emmy Awards ceremony in January 2024 due to the Hollywood strikes. The ceremony’s eligibility period typically spans between the previous year’s event and the current one. Since Perry passed away on October 28, 2023, he was recognized in the previous award ceremony.
Individuals eligible for the 2024 “In Memoriam” segment included those who passed away between January 2024 and September 2024, such as Shannen Doherty, James Earl Jones, and Richard Simmons.