Here's Why The 'Friends' Cast Didn't Reunite to Honour Matthew Perry at The 2024 Emmys

The 'Friends' cast is still grappling with the loss of Matthew Perry. According to Jesse Collins and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay, executive producers of the 2023 Emmy Awards, there were discussions about reuniting Perry's castmates—Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer—at Monday's ceremony.

Collins mentioned, "We had talked about it early on, 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 echoed these sentiments, noting that "it's still very fresh for them." Perry, who passed away on 28th October at the age of 54, was honoured during the awards show's 'In Memoriam' tribute. The segment paid tribute to industry icons such as Norman Lear, Bob Barker, Paul Reubens and Treat Williams, concluding with an image of Perry. Charlie Puth's rendition of 'See You Again' transitioned into the Friends theme song, 'I'll Be There for You.'

Following Perry's passing, the Friends cast released a joint statement. "We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family," the statement read. "There is so much to say, but right now, we're going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss."

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While Perry will forever be remembered as Chandler Bing, his television career spanned nearly five decades. Throughout his career, the author of 'Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing' earned five Emmy nominations.