The entertainment world continues to mourn the tragic passing of Friends actor, Matthew Perry, who died at the age of 54 on Saturday. Among the many tributes that have poured in from all corners, singer Charlie Puth's homage stands out as one of the most touching.
During a performance in Melbourne, Australia, at the Margaret Court Arena, the 31-year-old 'Attention' hitmaker surprised his audience with a soulful rendition of the iconic Friends theme song by The Rembrandts.
Videos of this moving tribute have since been shared widely on social media platforms, with one particular clip on TikTok capturing Puth leading the crowd in singing the classic chorus, finally echoing the words, “Because you’re there for me too.”
But Puth didn't stop there. Seamlessly transitioning, he began singing 'See You Again', his 2015 collaboration with Wiz Khalifa, which was written as a tribute to the late Paul Walker and featured in the movie Furious 7.
The choice of this song further intensified the emotions of the evening, evoking memories of those gone too soon.
The emotional moment garnered an outpouring of responses. A fan commented on the TikTok video, “And then he transitions into see you again?!? I’d be on the floor sobbing.” Another remarked, “This gave me full body chills. RIP Matthew Perry,” while a third said, “I’m crying. this is beautiful. RIP Matthew Perry.”
Perry's untimely death in a reported drowning at his Los Angeles home has left fans and fellow celebrities shocked and heartbroken. Perry's family expressed their own heartbreak in a statement: "We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother. Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend. You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love."
Perry's legacy, especially his role as Chandler Bing on Friends, which aired from 1994 to 2004, has left a real mark on pop culture. Notably, Puth has never been shy about his admiration for Perry and the show. He once mused about playing Chandler's hypothetical long-lost son, telling E! News in 2021, "People think that I am very similar to him."
Interestingly, while Puth never got the chance to meet Perry, he did interact with other Friends cast members. He met Jennifer Aniston on The Ellen Show in 2019 and even tested his Friends knowledge against Courteney Cox in a '90s sitcom trivia quiz for Billboard the same year.
Such tributes highlight the far-reaching impact of Perry on fans and fellow artists alike. As the world reminisces about his incredible talent, performances like Puth's ensure that his memory remains alive, echoing in the hearts of many.
