A touching statement is delivered by Zac Efron to his late co-star Matthew Perry from 17 Again during a Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony.
Perry, who rose to fame on the popular sitcom Friends as Chandler Bing, tragically passed away in October after it appeared that he had drowned in the hot pool at his Los Angeles home. His age was 54.
Efron credits Perry for being an inspiration during his speech at his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony (via Entertainment Weekly). Efron mentioned in the address that Perry was “so kind and generous with him.” With an expression of gratitude, he said, “Thank you so much, Matthew,” to the late actor. See Efron’s entire statement below:
[Perry was] so kind and generous with me. [Collaborating with Perry] was so much fun and really did propel me and motivate me in so many ways. It really pushed me into the next chapter of my career. And for that, thank you so much, Matthew. Thinking about you a lot today.
And Matthew, I’m really grateful for that. I’m thinking of you a lot right now.
READ MORE: Matthew Perry Hoped To Have Zac Efron Play Him In A Movie About His Life
Zac Efron and Matthew Perry’s Special Bond Described Zach Efron in 17 Again as a teenager Mike O’Donnell with a basketball jersey.
While Perry has earned a lot of praise from his Friends co-stars, Efron and Perry have a different kind of relationship. In the 2009 film 17 Again, Perry and Efron costarred, with Efron, then just 22 years old, portraying a younger Perry. On this set, Efron has called Perry a “mentor.”
Although a Perry biopic has not yet been officially announced, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir, the late actor’s memoir from 2022, offers enough of material for a potential studio adaptation.
READ MORE: The Placement Of Matthew Perry’s Walk Of Fame Star Is Being Discussed, Family Has To Make A Decision
Perry went on to tell his buddy Athenna Crosby that he would love for Efron to play Perry in a biopic about his life as the two had been friends for more than ten years. According to Crosby, Perry “said that he wanted Zac Efron to play him as a younger version and that he was gonna ask him soon to do that” just before the actor passed away. Although a Perry biography has not yet been confirmed, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir, written by the late actor, has enough of material for a potential studio adaptation.
When word of Crosby’s declaration leaked, Efron said he was “honored” to learn that Perry had these desires. Efron continued to gush about Perry, claiming to have “learned comedic timing from that guy.” Efron’s subsequent remarks, which suggest that Perry “pushed [Efron] into the next chapter of [his] career,” further support this theory. These highlight the extraordinarily tight bond that the 17 Again cast members shared, which heightens the poignancy of Efron’s remarks.
Radiant and America Nu, offering to elevate your entertainment game! Movies, TV series, exclusive interviews, music, and more—download now on various devices, including iPhones, Androids, smart TVs, Apple TV, Fire Stick, and more.
