Imagine going to bed after a binge of your favorite show, only to wake up to the sorrowful news of your beloved character’s demise. Matthew Perry may not have a lengthy list of film credits, but he has created an enduring legacy in everyone’s hearts. His portrayal of Chandler Bing in the classic sitcom Friends still offers comfort to countless amidst life’s hustle and bustle. However, he has also made some iconic appearances beyond the most popular sitcom of all time. 

Saturday Night Live, the American late-night live television sketch comedy, featured almost all the cast members from Friends, including Matthew Perry. Hours after his shocking demise, the show made a special tribute to the late actor. 

Saturday Night Live’s heartfelt tribute to Matthew Perry

On Saturday evening, Saturday Night Live featured a special tribute card for Perry with his name appearing alongside a black and white portrait of him. Matthew Perry appeared on the show in the year 1997. He did a parody teaching sarcasm to a group of students — including Will Ferrell, Cheri Oteri, and Norm Macdonald. The episode also featured a segment where Perry played the character of Joey from Friends, originally played by Matt LeBlanc. 

Matthew Perry was the fourth star from Friends, who hosted Saturday Night Live after Courtney Cox, David Schwimmer, and Lisa Kudrow. Even Jennifer Aniston, who once turned down the late-night show, appeared on the show in 1999 and 2004. Though all the cast members were very special for Matthew Perry, Jennifer Aniston always got a special mention from the Fools Rush In actor. 

Jennifer Aniston, who was Matthew Perry’s crush, was there for him in his darkest hours. 

Jennifer Aniston being a constant support for his Friends co-star

Matthew Perry has been on record appreciating his castmate, Jennifer Aniston, not only for her hard work but also for her generosity. During an October 2022 interview with Diane Sawyer, Perry revealed how Aniston did not leave his side and constantly kept checking on him during his addiction struggles and sobriety journey. He also shared that the Murder Mystery actress was the one who reached out to him before any other castmate from Friends, after his addiction became too evident. 

The friendship between Chandler Bing and Rachel Green on Friends was as underrated as the actors’ real-life friendship. Aniston even got a mention from Perry in his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. In the memoir, he revealed having a crush on Aniston, which never evolved into anything more.

What do you think about Saturday Night Live’s tribute to Matthew Perry? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!