"I'm surprised to hear it"— David Schwimmer reacts to Matthew Perry complimenting his physical comedy before passing away

American actor David Schwimmer expressed surprise upon learning that his late Friends co-star Matthew Perry admired his approach to physical comedy. Perry, known for his portrayal of Chandler Bing, passed away on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54 due to the acute effects of ketamine.

David Schwimmer shared his thoughts during an appearance on the Origins podcast hosted by his friend Cush Jumbo, recorded on September 17, 2024. The revelation left Schwimmer both touched and reflective, as he admitted Perry's reserved nature meant such praise was unexpected.

During the podcast, Jumbo recalled a conversation with Perry about David Schwimmer's comedic abilities, especially his skill in physical comedy. This discussion occurred when Perry and Jumbo worked together on The Good Fight for a year.

Jumbo shared, "I'm recalling talking to him about how I knew you a little bit but not very much at that stage, and I was talking to him about commedia [dell'arte] and about physical comedy and all this stuff."

She claimed to have asked Perry "Is David just someone who just does it? It just comes off of him? Or…" and recalls Perry's response,

"He talks about how it's not out of control at all. You're a linchpin person in a scene… without you being the pin, the other things don't work, which I thought was very, very complimentary and probably very true," she shared.

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David Schwimmer reflects on Perry's reserved nature

54th Golden Globe Awards - Source: Getty

David Schwimmer, who starred as Ross Geller on Friends for 10 seasons alongside Perry, was surprised by the praise. He responded on the podcast,

"That's interesting for many reasons, to hear that, because ... that's a huge compliment and I'm surprised to hear it because Matthew was reserved with me, he would not say that to me but I appreciate that a lot," he said.

He reflected on his experience working in physical comedy, explaining,

"Yeah, I am one of the few in the cast who had a rigorous theater training and so… in film or anything that’s involving a stunt or anything physical, I think it's gotta be finely, carefully choreographed, and I would work and work and work on any physical comedy in a scene," Schwimmer explained.

David Schwimmer elaborated on his meticulous process, noting how he structured and choreographed his movements to ensure safety and consistency, which may have been what Perry was referencing.

Perry's passing left a deep mark on Schwimmer and the entire Friends cast. After Matthew Perry's death, David Schwimmer took to social media on November 15, 2023, to share his grief. He posted a heartfelt message on Instagram alongside a photo from one of his favorite moments with Perry from the Friends season 5 episode, The One with All the Thanksgivings.

In the post, David Schwimmer also praised Perry's generous heart, which helped turn the Friends cast into a family.

Following Perry's passing, the Friends cast — including Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer — released a joint statement mourning the loss of their dear friend.

"We were more than just cast mates. We are a family," the statement read.

The cast emphasized their need to take time to grieve and process Perry's death privately.

"There is so much to say, but right now we're going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss… For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty's family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world," the cast shared.

Schwimmer is currently involved in various projects, including his role in the Peacock series Intelligence. He also appeared in the recent film Little Death which was screened at the Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2024. Schwimmer continues to explore both acting and directing opportunities in television and film.