Tom Selleck Reflects on Matthew Perry’s ‘Raw Talent’ from Their Time on Friends

Tom Selleck may have shared an onscreen rivalry with Matthew Perry on Friends, but their real-life relationship was filled with mutual respect and affection.

Reflecting on his time as Richard Burke, the sophisticated ophthalmologist who romances Monica (Courteney Cox), Selleck reminisced about the camaraderie he developed with Perry’s character Chandler and Matt LeBlanc’s Joey. Although their characters were involved in a brief love triangle later in the series, the real bond between Selleck and Perry was rooted in genuine admiration.

Selleck recounted a particular episode from season 2, where Chandler and Joey attempt to emulate Richard, while Richard tries to fit in with his younger friends. Selleck struggled with delivering Chandler’s signature line, “Could that shot be any prettier?” and frequently sought Perry’s guidance. “Matthew had this unique speech pattern that I wasn’t used to,” Selleck told. “He explained, ‘It’s a joke, Tom,’ and I kept asking him to repeat it because it was such a distinctive part of his character.”

Selleck also noted that his friendship with Perry’s father, actor John Bennett Perry, helped ease his integration into the Friends cast. “Everyone was incredibly welcoming,” Selleck said. “I would often check in with Matthew about his father, and we would catch up. I had known John for years as a fellow struggling actor, and we had become good friends.”

Selleck praised Perry’s remarkable talent, describing him as “raw talent” and reflecting on the impact of his passing. “Matthew was incredibly talented, even among a very gifted cast,” Selleck noted. Perry, who died unexpectedly in October due to acute effects of ketamine and drowning, was 54. Selleck was invited to Perry’s private memorial in Los Angeles but was unable to attend due to filming commitments for Blue Bloods, which is wrapping up its 14th season.

Selleck admired the unity and camaraderie of the Friends cast. “There are no negative stories,” he said. “They all got along so well, likely because they had experienced failures before and understood how fortunate they were to be part of such a successful show.”