Matthew Perry tribute leaves Emmys viewers 'in tears' as awards do makes touching gesture to Friends star

Matthew Perry tribute leaves Emmys viewers 'in tears' as awards do makes touching gesture to Friends star

WATCH NOW: The late Matthew Perry got a special tribute during the 2024 Emmy Awards

FOX
Alex Davies

By Alex Davies


Published: 16/01/2024

- 09:47

The Friends legend died at the age of 54 in October 2023

Emmy Award viewers who tuned into Monday's ceremony were left balling their eyes out during the awards do's In Memoriam segment.

Among the awards being dished, Hollywood's A-listers took a moment to remember those who'd died over the past 12 months during a heartbreaking segment as Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers took to the stage to pay their respects.


"Tonight as we remember the legends of our industry we lost this past year, we celebrate their lives, their legacy, and the joy they brought to us," Struthers began.

"So to all of those members of all of our television families who've passed on..." she added before she and Reiner said in unison: "Those were the days."

The duo paid tribute to TV pioneer Norman Lear before Charlie Puth and The War and Treaty took to the stage to perform while the rest of the In Memoriam played out.

The trio performed a rendition of I'll See You Again but towards the end of the song, they broke into a more soulful take of the Friends theme tune I'll Be There For You as a tribute to Matthew Perry.

Matthew Perry tribute

Matthew Perry was honoured at the Emmy Awards

GETTY

The gesture left viewers at home and fans of Perry's rather emotional, with many applauding the touch during the segment.

On X, formerly Twitter, one person penned: "A tribute to the great Matthew Perry. We will love you always, friend #Emmys."

A second added: "The 'Friends' theme song was performed during the In Memoriam segment of the #Emmys. We couldn’t help but think of our dearest, Matthew Perry."

Elsewhere, a third said: "Lost it when Matthew Perry came on and they were singing 'I'll Be There For You.' #Emmys."

"Wow the Friends theme song / Matthew Perry tribute at the #Emmys really just took me out," another weighed in.

Before a fifth said: "The loss of Matthew Perry still makes me cry. In case anyone was wondering. #Emmys."

And a sixth echoed: "The #Emmys honoring Matthew Perry like that [crying emojis]. He will always be there for us." (sic)

Among the other stars remembered were Angela Lansbury, Lance Reddick, Barbara Walters, Kirstie Alley, Andre Braugher, Alan Arkin and Annie Wersching.

Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers

Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers introduced the In Memoriam segment

GETTY

Elsewhere on the night, another big talking point came following Dame Joan Collins, 90, stepping out on stage.

The iconic actor left audiences gobsmacked with her ageless appearance, with social media flooded with shocked reactions.

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