Friends star Lisa Kudrow introduces SAG Awards ‘In Memoriam’ more than a year after Matthew Perry’s death

Chance Perdomo, Thom Christopher, and Susan Buckner were among the stars who were not featured during the segment.

Lisa Kudrow; Matthew Perry. Photo: Getty(2)

Lisa Kudrow is honoring the stars we’ve lost over the last year at the 2025 SAG Awards.

The Friends actress, 61, introduced the “In Memoriam” segment with a poignant speech about how an actor’s incredible performance can leave a deep, lasting impression on viewers even long after they’re gone.

“We can all remember the first time an actor’s performance had an impact on us, laughing to the point of tears or being moved to the point of tears by a deep truth brought to light onscreen,” she said. “Great performances create meaning and inspire connection, and while the passing of an actor can feel like a great loss, we can also feel gratitude for the enduring works they’ve left behind for us.”

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Chance Perdomo, Thom Christopher, Susan Buckner.Getty(3)

Kudrow’s remarks come over a year after her Friends costar and longtime pal Matthew Perry died at 54 in 2023. He was previously honored at the 2024 SAG Awards alongside Michael Gambon, Treat Williams, Paul Reubens, and more.

At this year’s ceremony, the “In Memoriam” segment omitted several stars, including Gen V actor Chance Perdomo, One Life to Live’s Thom Christopher, and Grease actress Susan Buckner.

Perdomo died at 27 on March 31, 2024, after he was involved in a single-vehicle motorcycle accident. The British-American actor was known for his memorable turns as Andre Anderson on The Boys’ college-set spinoff Gen V and playing Sabrina’s cousin Ambrose on Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

Matthew Perry’s final days and death investigation examined in new special: Watch the trailer

Christopher, a Daytime Emmy Awards-winner who starred as cutthroat mob boss Carlo Hesser on One Life to Live, died at 84 last December. His other credits include Kojak, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, and the ABC soap opera Loving, the latter of which earned him another Daytime Emmy nomination in 1993.

Buckner, who played bubbly cheerleader Patty Simcox in Grease, died at 72 on May 2, 2024. In addition to ruling Rydell High, she also appeared on The Love Boat, The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, and When the Whistle Blows.

Bob Newhart, Olivia Hussey, Shelley Duvall, Donald Sutherland, Ken Page, Shannen Doherty, James Earl Jones, John Amos, David Lynch, Kris Kristofferson, Gavin Creel, and Richard Lewis were some of the stars honored during this year’s SAG Awards “In Memoriam.” The moving segment honored the late actors by taking clips from each of their respective careers and combining them to create a rich tapestry of performances.