Why Matthew Perry Wasn't Included in 2024 Emmys In Memoriam Segment

Originally appeared on E! Online

Friends fans will always be there for Matthew Perry.

In fact, viewers of the 2024 Emmy Awards were quick to call out the fact that Perry—who died in October 2023 from the acute effects of ketamine—wasn't included during the In Memoriam segment at the Sept. 15 award show.

"did I miss it or did the Emmy's not show Matthew Perry????" one fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Another added, "How in the world did the Emmy's not include Matthew Perry?!?!"

However, there was a reason that Perry did not appear: He was already honored at the 2023 Emmys ceremony, which was held in January after being pushed back from its normal September 2023 spot because of the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strikes.

During that show, the Emmys paid tribute to Perry in a touching way, playing Friends' iconic theme song "I'll Be There For You" during the In Memoriam segment, which concluded with an image of Perry.

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However, Perry's Friends costars—Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer—were not involved in the segment during the Jan. 15 award show.

As Emmys executive producer Jeannae Rouzan-Clay told The Hollywood Reporter at the time, "It's still very fresh for them."

Matthew Perry
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for GQ

Fellow executive producer Jesse Collins also noted that the team had discussed bringing the cast together "early on" in the planning process, but that looking at it from their perspective, "they're mourning someone who was still very close to them."

"I can't speak for them," Collins added, "but we all have to respect that they were their own family. It was probably just a little too soon."

Following Perry's death, his costars have been candid about how much they miss the Emmy nominee, with Cox recently sharing that she still feels his presence in her life.

Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry, Friends
Reisig & Taylor/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

"He visits me a lot, if we believe in that," she explained on CBS Sunday Morning in May. "I talk to my mom, my dad, Matthew. I feel like there are a lot of people that guide us. I sense Matthew's around for sure."

Cox also reflected on how meaningful it is to share such a close bond with her costars.

"I'm grateful that I had that opportunity to work with such wonderful people and to live the life that I have now," she added. "That was my family. We went through everything. Those 10 years were everything."

To see more stars who have paid tribute to Perry since his passing, keep reading.

Molly Hurwitz

<p>Molly Hurwitz</p>


Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc & David Schwimmer

<p>Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc & David Schwimmer</p>


Bradley Whitford

<p>Bradley Whitford</p>


Ben Winston

<p>Ben Winston</p>

"I feel so unbelievably lucky to have been able to make that reunion show with six truly remarkable people, witnessing their precious unbreakable bond with each other. Spending time with Matthew was simply a dream come true. Kind, caring… and a comedic genius."


Gwyneth Paltrow

<p>Gwyneth Paltrow</p>


Adele

<p>Adele</p>


Maggie Wheeler

<p>Maggie Wheeler</p>


Salma Hayek

<p>Salma Hayek</p>


Ione Skye

<p>Ione Skye</p>


Kathleen Turner

<p>Kathleen Turner</p>


Shannen Doherty

<p>Shannen Doherty</p>


Morgan Fairchild

<p>Morgan Fairchild</p>


Rumer Willis

<p>Rumer Willis</p>


Paget Brewster

<p>Paget Brewster</p>


Yvette Nicole Brown

<p>Yvette Nicole Brown</p>


Olivia Munn

<p>Olivia Munn</p>


Watch the 2024 Emmys ceremony tonight, Sept. 15, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC. And don't miss the Live From E!: Emmys red carpet pre-show starting at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT, only on E!.