It was always his dream to be recognised
MATTHEW Perry’s ex-girlfriend has called for a tribute to be paid to the Friends star at tomorrow night’s Oscars, saying it was his “dream” to be recognised at the ceremony.
Kayti Edwards, his former assistant, urged executives not to snub the late actor like the BAFTAS did last month.
She also wants police to re-open the investigation into his death, believing a rogue medic could have been behind a dose of ketamine found in his system after he died aged 54 last October.
In an exclusive interview before the Academy Awards ceremony, Kayti said Matthew should be mentioned during the coveted In Memoriam section.
Kayti, 47, who dated the actor in 2006 but remained friends with him up until his death, says: “I know that it would mean a lot for him to be honoured at the
Oscars in some way.
“I remember talking to him about how it was always his dream to be recognised, and not just for Friends.
“He was always aware of the sad reality that Friends got tons of awards but, personally, I don’t think he got one.”
Matthew’s movie credits included 17 Again with Zac Efron, The Whole Nine Yards with Bruce Willis and Fools Rush In with Salma Hayek.
The Oscars’ five-minute In Memoriam section, which is accompanied by a live singer, is kept a closely guarded secret.
At last month’s film BAFTAS, actress Hannah Waddingham sang Cyndi Lauper’s Time after Time for the In Memoriam section – which did not feature Matthew. However, bosses have promised to honour him at their TV awards instead.
Kayti said: “I am not surprised at all by the backlash [to the BAFTA snub]. He was so very well loved. He had a love-hate relationship with his film career.
“He was always cast in a funny role or love interest but he wanted roles with more depth.”
Matthew made his name as wisecracking Chandler Bing in Friends, from 1994 until 2004. But behind the scenes, he was struggling with addiction. An autopsy found he succumbed to the “acute effects” of ketamine.
He had been receiving ketamine infusion therapy to treat depression.
However, his last session was a week-and-a-half before he died and ketamine only stays in the system for four hours.