Charlie Puth sings ‘Friends’ theme song in honor of Matthew Perry at show
Singer Charlie Puth honored the late Matthew Perry on Sunday by leading hundreds of Australian fans in a rendition of the iconic “Friends” theme song, “I’ll Be There for You,” written by the Rembrandts.
In a TikTok, Puth, 31, can be seen sitting at a piano playing the first verse of the hit NBC show’s theme while fans belt out the words.
At the end of the song, the “We Don’t Talk Anymore” singer seamlessly transitioned into the 2015 hit “See You Again,” which was written by Puth and rapper Wiz Khalifa for the film “Furious 7” as a tribute to Paul Walker, who died in a car crash in 2013 shortly after completing the movie.
The video, which has been viewed nearly 12 million times, caused several fans of both Puth and Perry to be overcome with emotion.
“And then he transitions into ‘see you again,’ ” one fan wrote. “I’d be on the floor sobbing.”
“This gave me full-body chills. RIP Matthew Perry,” a second fan commented.
“Knowing and appreciating how much of a ‘Friends’ fan Charlie is, this is getting me in the feels,” a third person noted.
Several other fans expressed that they hoped wherever Perry, 54, was, he would be able to see that many people cared about him and were mourning his loss.
The Post reached out to Puth for comment.
Puth is not the only celebrity to have led an impromptu tribute for the beloved actor.
Adele paused her concert Saturday night to honor Perry, hours after it broke that Perry died from an apparent drowning at his California home.
According to the “Rolling In The Deep” singer, 35, she had “never met [Perry] in my life,” but would remember his “Friends” character for “the rest of my life.”
“He’s probably the best comedic character of all time,” Adele, who is in the middle of a residency at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, told her captivated audience.
“He was so open with his struggles with addiction and sobriety, which I think is incredibly, incredibly brave,” the singer, who recently stopped drinking, continued.
The “Whole Nine Yards” star was found unresponsive Saturday.
Shortly after, TMZ released a 15-second 911 dispatch call where a man can be heard saying: “Agent 23. Rescue 23. EMS 9 on the radio. In response to the drowning.”
According to TMZ, authorities do not suspect Perry’s death to be the result of foul play nor did they find any illicit drugs close by.
Authorities, however, did note that prescription pills for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) had been found inside the Hollywood icon’s home as well as anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medications.
Perry’s manner and cause of death have been labeled as “deferred” after Lt. Aimee Earl, an investigator with the LA County Medical Examiner’s Office, told The Post that several tests, including a toxicology report, have been ordered. The process is likely to take several months.
Perry’s family later released a statement saying that they were “heartbroken” over the “tragic loss.”
“Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend,” his loved ones told People. “You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.”
