BAFTA Responds to Matthew Perry's Omission From 'In Memoriam' Segment

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has responded to criticism online regarding the absence of Matthew Perry from the 'In Memoriam' segment at the 2024 EE BAFTA Film Awards.

Matthew Perry, who passed away last October at the age of 54, was notably missing from the tribute, which featured a special rendition of Cyndi Lauper’s 'Time After Time' performed by Hannah Waddingham from Ted Lasso. Social media users were swift to express their discontent with BAFTA's decision.

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On various platforms, users expressed their disappointment, with one calling it "bad form" and sharing a GIF of Perry's famous 'Friends' character, Chandler Bing, with the caption, "You can't make this stuff up." Others were baffled by Perry's absence, describing it as "shockingly bad" and a "shocking omission."

Many sought clarification, questioning why Matthew Perry wasn't included in the memorial sequence. In response to the backlash, a BAFTA spokesperson assured that Perry would be remembered at the upcoming BAFTA Television Awards. This statement was reiterated on BAFTA's official channels, along with a link to the academy's online tribute to the actor.

Despite BAFTA's explanation, some users remained unsatisfied, highlighting Perry's contributions to the film industry beyond his iconic role in 'Friends.' One user pointed out that Perry had appeared in numerous films throughout his career, including 2000's 'The Whole Nine Yards.'

Perry was recently honoured during the In Memoriam segment at the 2023 Emmy Awards, where his image was featured alongside Charlie Puth's performance of 'See You Again' followed by the 'Friends' theme song, 'I'll Be There for You.'