Matthew Perry tribute by Charlie Puth during Emmys 'In Memoriam' segment leaves fans in tears
Charlie Puth delivered a tear-jerking "In Memoriam" segment on the Emmys stage Monday night.
Puth performed a slow, acoustic rendition of his hit song, "See You Again," which was originally a 2015 collaboration with rapper Wiz Khalifa dedicated to the late Paul Walker. He was joined on stage by husband-wife duo The War and Treaty, the genre-bending 2024 Grammy Award nominees for best new artist and best American roots song.
The "We Don't Talk Anymore" singer, donning an all-black suit, harmonized with the couple as he sat the piano. Hollywood's most notable losses appeared on screens including "Euphoria" breakout Angus Cloud, actor Leslie Jordan, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" Andre Braugher and long-running "The Price is Right" host Bob Barker.
Then, the trio surprised the crowd at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Puth sang "Friends" theme song “I'll Be There for You” by The Rembrandts. As a vignette of "The View" creator Barbara Walters dissolved on screen, a photo of Matthew Perry appeared to claps and cheers from the star-studded audience.
Perry died in October from "the acute effects of ketamine." In December, The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office revealed his cause of death and said sitcom star's death was by accident.
Fans were emotional following the 4-minute performance at the Emmy Awards.
"Charlie Puth singing the friends theme song just for him I’m sobbing. Matthew Perry you are so loved," @eversongbirds said on X.
"Bruh Charlie Puth going from 'See You Again' to the Friends theme song was unexpected & I’m now sobbing #Emmys," @angelicv1be tweeted.
"The In Memoriam hit hard this year #Emmys2023," @amyisquitebusy posted to X.
More: Charlie Puth's tribute to Matthew Perry with 'Friends' theme song moves fans: Watch here
Puth's tribute comes after he previously honored the legendary late comedy star last October in Melbourne, Australia.
“I want to dedicate this song to another song and if that makes you think if it makes you think of a person that’s who it’s dedicated to,” Puth said at the time to Margaret Court Arena. “Does this mean anything to you?”
Puth sang “I'll Be There for You” to the Australian audience, who joined in to sing “because you’re there for me too.” Then, he transitioned to "See You Again." At the Emmys, he belted the back-to-back songs but started with his own hit.
Contributing: Edward Segarra, KiMi Robinson, Kelly Lawler
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Matthew Perry Emmy 'In Memoriam' tribute by Charlie Puth is emotional