“Tom Selleck Shares How Matthew Perry Assisted Him with Lines on ‘Friends’: ‘He Had Natural Talent'”

Tom Selleck is well-known for his role as Richard Burke, Monica’s charming older love interest on Friends. In a recent interview, the Magnum P.I. star revealed that, despite his established career, he occasionally sought help from his co-star Matthew Perry with his lines. “We had this role reversal thing going,” Selleck recalled, reflecting on Richard’s dynamic with Chandler and Joey.

He specifically struggled with the line, “Could that shot be any prettier?” and noted Perry’s unique speech pattern. “Matthew told me, ‘It’s a joke, Tom. It’s the way he says it,’” Selleck shared, mentioning how he often asked Perry to repeat the line. Selleck expressed his fondness for the entire Friends cast, but he shared a special bond with Perry, often inquiring about his father, whom Selleck had known in his early acting days.

Selleck praised Perry’s “raw talent,” stating, “He was the most talented of a very talented group.” Following Perry’s tragic passing on October 28, 2023, the Friends cast expressed their deep sorrow in a joint statement, calling him family and emphasizing the profound loss they all felt. “We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew,” they wrote, promising to honor his memory in time.