Matthew Perry get emotional tribute as the 75th annual Primetime Emmy Awards paused to honor many of the friends, colleagues, and icons the television community has lost over the past year.
Andre Braugher, Suzanne Somers and Matthew Perry were among the stars highlighted in the awards show’s annual “In Memoriam” tribute, which pays homage to luminaries who have left an impact on the industry.
Other stars who were honored during the tribute included Norman Lear, Bob Barker, Paul Reubens, Treat Williams, Angus Cloud, Len Goodman, Lance Reddick, Jerry Springer, and Cindy Williams.
Charlie Puth performed his 2015 hit, “See You Again,” as a slideshow of photos of those who died were displayed for audiences gathered in the room at Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and those watching on TV alike.
Puth, 32, then transitioned into the Friends theme song, “I’ll Be There For You,” as a final few faces were shown, including Braugher, Harry Belafonte, Alan Arkin, and Barbara Walters.
Perry, whose death in October sent shockwaves through Hollywood and the world, closed out the tribute.
Braugher, who died on December 11 at age 61 due to lung cancer, was a two-time Emmy winner who racked up 11 total nominations going back to 1996.
He won his first Emmy in 1998 for his role as Det. Frank Pemberton in Homicide: Life on the Street, and his second for his portrayal of Nick Atwater in Thief.
The gifted actor began his on-screen career in 1989, starring alongside Denzel Washington in Glory and working with Telly Savalas on Kojak.
Braugher’s other credits included City of Angels, Salt, Law & Order, Salem’s Lot, and the upcoming Netflix series The Residence.
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Homicide executive producer Barry Levinson described Braugher to PEOPLE following his death as “one of the exceptional actors” to have come along.
“What’s interesting is that as an actor, he almost invariably exceeded what you thought you might get,” Levinson explained then. “That’s what was, I think, unique about him in his very simple way without a lot of to-do. He delivered and exceeded your expectations.”
Best known for her roles as Chrissy Snow on Three’s Company and Carol Lambert on Step by Step, Somers died on Oct. 15, just one day shy of her 77th birthday.
During her decades-long career, Somers became known as an entertainer, author, and entrepreneur. In addition to her TV roles, the actress was also known for her books — she penned more than 25 and was a New York Times best-selling author — and for her health and beauty business ventures, namely the ThighMaster exercise apparatus.
Staci Keanan, who played eldest child Dana Foster on Step by Step, described Somers to PEOPLE following her death as a “bright, buoyant spirit, very kind, funny, and generous of heart.”
“When anyone asked what it was like to work with her, I found myself saying often that to know her was to love her,” she added. “Along with her many creative gifts, Suzanne was also a brilliant business person. As her ‘TV daughter,’ she was so warm and nurturing towards me. I thought she was just flawless. I will miss her, but was just lucky to have known her.”
Perry was a five-time Emmy nominee who received critical acclaim and worldwide recognition for his turn as Chandler Bing on the NBC sitcom Friends. The actor died on Oct. 28 at age 54 due to acute effects of ketamine.
After moving to Los Angeles as a teenager, Perry landed a few TV guest spots, including a recurring role as Chazz Russell on Boys Will Be Boys from 1987 to 1988 and turns on Growing Pains and Sydney, but his big break came in 1994 with Friends. He also starred in short-lived shows like Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and a remake of The Odd Couple.
Despite his success, Perry struggled with addiction behind the scenes, seeking treatment 15 times over the years. He eventually founded the Perry House, a men’s sober living facility, in his old Malibu beach home.
“For Matty, he KNEW he loved to make people laugh,” Perry’s Friends costar and longtime friend Jennifer Aniston wrote in an Instagram tribute after his death. “As he said himself, if he didn’t hear the ‘laugh’ he thought he was going to die. His life literally depended on it. And boy did he succeed in doing just that. He made all of us laugh. And laugh hard.”
