Variety has reported on the British Academy of Film and Television Arts response to the backlash from the public following the omission of Matthew Perry (Friends, The Whole Nine Yards, 17 Again) from their memoriam segment for their film awards. The actor tragically passed on Oct. 28, 2023 at the age of 54.
Perry was most known for his role as Chandler Bing on Friends. The reaction to his death was overwhelming, and fans who mourned the beloved stars were left devastated by the shocking news. Jennifer Aniston (Friends, Marley & Me, The Morning Show), Courteney Cox (Friends, Scream series, Cougar Town), Lisa Kudrow (Friends, The Comeback, Web Therapy), Matt LeBlanc (Friends, Episodes, Man with a Plan), and David Schwimmer (Friends, Band of Brothers, American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson) all expressed their grief over the star’s passing.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office reported the cause of death as the acute effects of ketamine. The star was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his home.
The Emmy Awards celebrated the actors’ work on Friends with a tribute during their broadcast. That’s why the omission from the BAFTAs was shocking for fans.
The BAFTA’s have responded to this backlash by assuring fans that there will be tribute to his life and career at its TV awards later this year.
This year’s BAFTAs featured an emotional tribute to various film stars such as Carl Weathers (Rocky, Predator, Action Jackson), Tom Wilkinson (In the Bedroom, Michael Clayton, The Full Monty), Jane Birkin (Blow-Up, Death on the Nile, Je t’aime moi non plus), Michael Gambon (The Singing Detective, Gosford Park, Harry Potter series), Richard Roundtree (Shaft, Earthquake, Man Friday), and Shirley Anne Field (Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, The Entertainer, Alfie). The tribute featured Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso, Game of Thrones, Sex Education), star of Ted Lasso, singing “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper.