Late Friends star Matthew Perry was not included in BAFTA’s in memoriam segment, and the organization has responded to backlash about the omission. Perry passed away in October 2023 at the age of 54 in Los Angeles, where he was found unresponsive in a hot tub. A post-mortem examination determined the actor died from the acute effects of ketamine, with other contributing factors including drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine. Perry was best known for playing Chandler Bing in Friends, but his acting resume also included The West Wing, Ally McBeal, and Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip.
Although Perry appeared in several films, including The Whole Nine Yards (2000), its sequel The Whole Ten Yards (2004), and 17 Again (2009), BAFTA explained his omission in a statement while confirming he would be honored in the forthcoming BAFTA television awards in May and on the in memoriam section of their website. The team behind the 2024 Emmys also recently revealed why a bigger tribute to Perry featuring the sitcom’s cast was canceled last month.
Despite the disappointment of many viewers, including some who expressed their sadness on social media as actress Hannah Waddingham performed during the in memoriam segment, BAFTA confirmed that Perry would indeed be remembered at this year’s TV Awards ceremony. The ceremony saw Michael J. Fox surprise viewers by making an appearance and handing out the prize for Best Film, which went to Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. The film won six awards in total, including Best Director and Best Actor for Cillian Murphy.
Elsewhere at the ceremony, Samantha Morton was awarded the BAFTA Fellowship Award, and the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award went to June Givanni, a Guyanese-born, London-based film curator who has long supported and platformed African cinema. A full list of winners can be found on BAFTA’s website
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