Matthew Perry’s ex-girlfriend has urged the Academy to remember the Friends star during their ‘In Memoriam’ segment during the 2024 Oscars on Sunday.
The popular actor died last October at the age of 54 from the ‘acute effects of ketamine,’ according to an autopsy report, and a worldwide outpouring of grief followed.
Although he is best known for his turn as the sarcastic yet lovable Chandler Bing on the huge sitcom, which ran for a decade from 1994 to 2004 – and made him and his colleagues Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt Le Balance and David Schwimmer the first actors to net $1million per episode – Perry also starred in several popular films.
Perry had been remembered at this year’s Emmy Awards in January, leaving fans in tears, but there was uproar at the Bafta Film Awards last month when Perry was omitted from their memoriam package.
Kayti Edwards, who was friends with the late actor up until his death and dated him in 2006, has claimed that it would have ‘meant a lot’ to Perry to be recognised by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
‘I know that it would mean a lot for him to be honoured at the Oscars in some way,’ the 47-year-old – who is also Mary Poppins icon Dame Julie Andrews’ granddaughter – said.
‘I remember having a conversation with him about how it was always his dream to be recognised and not just for Friends.’
‘He was always aware of the sad reality that Friends got tons of awards… but personally, I don’t think he got one,’ she told The Mirror.
The star was a five-time Emmy nominee, garnering one nod for his performance as Chandler in 2002, alongside two nominations as guest actor for his work on The West Wing, and a nomination in 2007 for his lead role in TV movie The Ron Clark Story.
His final nomination came for the 2021 Friends: The Reunion special.
The Academy keeps the details of who is included in its moving In Memoriam section, which is usually accompanied by a live singer, under wraps ahead of its broadcast.
Last year, viewers were furious to see Anne Heche, Paul Sorvino and Charlbi Dean – an actress in 2023 best picture Oscar nominee Triangle of Sadness – snubbed.
Perry’s celebrated film roles include popular comedy 17 Again with Zac Efron, The Whole Nine Yards and its sequel The Whole Ten Yards with Bruce Willis, and rom-coms Fools Rush In with Salma Hayek and Three to Tango.
It’s also worth noting that the Academy has no television-specific ceremony or awards in which it can honour the late Perry instead.
Edwards, who also worked as the actor’s assistant in 2011, also said she was ‘not surprised at all’ by the backlash to the Bafta snub as Perry ‘was so very well loved’.
However, she observed that the star seemingly had a ‘love-hate relationship with his film career’.
‘He was always cast in a funny role or as the love interest but instead he always wanted roles that had more depth, and that were more meaningful.’
Fans called Bafta’s perceived snub of Perry ‘shameful’ and ‘shocking’ as some demanded ‘justice’ for the star, while others pointed out he was best known for his TV work.
After being bombarded with messages on social media, the official Bafta page directed followers to a tribute for Perry posted on their official website.
When contacted for comment, a spokesperson also told Metro.co.uk: ‘I can confirm he will be remembered in our forthcoming Television Awards.’
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