In a heartfelt tribute at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards, the entertainment industry remembered its fallen stars, with a poignant nod to Matthew Perry. The War and Treaty’s Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter delivered a touching rendition of “When I See You Again,” accompanied by Charlie Puth on the piano, as the faces of the departed graced the screens with the crowd satting in sombre silence.
But a special moment came when the duo switched their melody to the iconic Friends theme, “I’ll Be There For You,” as Perry’s image appeared, triggering a wave of applause. This tribute to Perry, the beloved Friends star who died of a suspected ketamine overdose in 2023, brought a tear to every eye.
Other famous faces such as that of Andre Braugher, Norman Lear, Angela Lansbury were also highlighted during the touching moment.
Following the broadcast on Fox, viewers voiced their discontent on social platforms regarding notable omissions from the tribute, the most glaring of which was Ryan O’Neal. Renowned for his cinematic roles and a notable stint on the TV series Peyton Place from 1964-69, O’Neal’s absence, who passed away on December 8, sparked strong reactions, particularly from his son Patrick who expressed his disappointment and anger on Twitter. The disregard of Ray Stevenson, celebrated for his roles in series like Black Sails and Vikings, also raised eyebrows and stirred conversation online.
Wasn’t watching #Emmys but someone let me know they left my dad out of the “in memoriam” ….
— Patrick O'Neal (@Patrick_ONeal) January 16, 2024
kind of wish I didn’t know right now but I would’ve found out. Sad and mad is a paralyzing combo.
On a night filled with emotional highs, Christina Applegate received a well-deserved standing ovation, and RuPaul delivered an empowering speech about the significance of drag queens. This Emmy night will linger in our hearts as a bittersweet homage to the stars we’ve lost.
