Could we be any more upset? Friends fans who tuned in to the 2024 BAFTA Awards for film on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024 were left disappointed and shocked that one very important actor was left out of the "In Memoriam" segment of the awards show. And that was Chandler Bing actor Matthew Perry.
The star unfortunately passed away in October 2023 at the age of 54 due to "acute effects of ketamine," per the Los Angeles Country Medical Examiner's Office. Personally as a Friends fan, I'm still processing that he's gone and I'm sure many of you are the same. Like most awards shows, the British event featured a segment as part of the ceremony that remembers and honors the wonderful people we've lost in the industry within the last year.
Matthew Perry is the King. Don’t forget him. #inmemoriam #BAFTA2024 pic.twitter.com/F9QkPNyvlp
— Ian 📖 (@IanMillett1) February 19, 2024
Some of the talents featured at the 2024 BAFTAs were Jane Birkin, Tom Wilkinson, and Carl Weathers. One big star missing was Perry. And fans were definitely not happy! Many took to social media to express their frustration, and the BAFTA Awards has faced backlash because of this. So much so that the organization has released a statement to address his absence. We shared it from Variety below:
"Matthew Perry will be remembered in the forthcoming BAFTA Television Awards in May."
The reasoning does make some sense as Perry was best known for Friends, and the recent awards ceremony focused on film. So the BAFTAs is planning to honor the actor at its separate television-focused awards show in May 2024. Though the actor's career did include some well-known movies like Fools Rush In, The Whole Nine Yards, and 17 Again.
I get that they will probably do a proper tribute at the TV BAFTAs, but a mention at least at the Film Awards would’ve been lovely. Having read his book, Matthew was proud to be asked to act in films and would’ve appreciated the recognition. #MatthewPerry pic.twitter.com/gyPVmqEARB
— The TV Fan (@thetvfanspace) February 19, 2024
The reasoning does have us scratching our heads a bit though. It would have been nice to see some kind of mention of Perry. Though you can't deny just how iconic both the Chandler Bing character and Friends are, an actor shouldn't be defined by just one role. But I guess I can understand why the BAFTA Awards went with this decision. What do you think?