Highlights
- Kathleen Turner remembers Matthew Perry fondly, describing him as having a good sense of humor and a good heart.
- Turner felt unwelcome by the main cast of Friends and considered herself an afterthought.
- Turner doesn’t regret playing a trans character on Friends, but acknowledges that casting a trans actor was never considered. She likely would pass on such a role today.
The tributes towards Matthew Perry continue to accumulate. His impact on Hollywood run deep, and the same holds true for the actors he worked with. The cast of Friends issued a joint statement about Perry’s passing, revealing that they are still in shock about the situation and need time.
Others have offered tributes and further details. Kathleen Turner who one of those people who played Chandler’s dad on the series. Turner wasn’t impressed by the Friends cast, though she felt differently about Matthew Perry.
We’ll reveal her thoughts on the actor’s passing, while also taking a closer look at her time on the show, and why she felt like an afterthought alongside the main cast. We’ll also take a closer look Turner’s thoughts on playing a trans character, and if she would do anything differently today.
Kathleen Turner Issued An Emotional Message Following Matthew Perry’s Death, Discussing How Genuine The Actor Was During Their Final Meeting
During an exclusive interview with People, Kathleen Turner remembered her TV son Matthew Perry. Turner detailed that she was saddened by the loss, and that she had seen the actor behind the scenes on one of her Broadway shows.
“Very sad for Matthew,” she said. “He came to see one of my Broadway shows and he came backstage,” Turner reveals. “When he saw me, he yelled out, ‘Hey dad’ and everyone thought it was pretty cool. I think it was for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.”
Turner would go on to reveal that she had last seen Perry a decade ago. “At least 10 years [ago] at some event, his personality has stuck with her. “I liked him,” she says. “He had a good sense of humor and a good heart. he liked other people, which, to me, is terribly important, especially for an actor.”
Turner would go on to reveal that a lot of pressure the cast felt at the time might’ve lead to poor decisions regarding their health. Nonetheless, Turner had clearly changed her take on Perry in recent years – especially given that it is well documented, she didn’t have the greatest experience on Friends.
Kathleen Turner Wasn’t Fond Of Her Experience On Friends, Feeling ‘Unwelcome’ By The Main Cast
Looking back, most of the guest stars on Friends felt welcomed by the cast, though they were intimidated given the success of the show. As for Kathleen Turner, she had a different experience. According to the guest star, she felt like an afterthought from the main cast, especially given how close the six stars were.
Turner revealed, “I remember I was wearing this difficult sequinned gown – and my high heels were absolutely killing me,” she said. “I found it odd that none of the actors thought to offer me a seat. Finally, it was one of the older crew members that said: ‘Get Miss Turner a chair.”
She continues, “The Friends actors were such a clique – but I don’t think my experiences with them were unique,” she continued. “I think it was simply that they were such a tight little group that nobody from the outside mattered.”
At the age of 69, Turner is still going strong in Hollywood, appearing in 6 episodes of The Bystanders, doing voice work for the podcast series. She also appeared in the miniseries, White House Plumbers in 2023. Despite all her projects, the actress still gets recognized for her time on Friends.
Kathleen Turner Doesn’t Regret Playing A Trans Woman On Friends
No matter how much time has past, Turner is still recognized by many as Chandler’s mom all these years later. “I am still constantly recognized by a certain age group as Chandler’s dad,” Turner tells People.
“I met somebody last night and she said, ‘Aren’t you a movie star?’ I said, ‘Yeah, but before your time.’ And she said, ‘Well, where would I know you from?’ and I said, ‘Chandler’s dad.’ She said, ‘Oh, my God!’ ”
Despite the recognition for the role, it is met with some controversy given that she was playing a trans character. There is criticism that Friends didn’t choose to use a trans actor instead. Nonetheless, Turner revealed this didn’t cross her mind at the time.
“There was no question of casting a trans person or a drag queen – it was never considered,” Turner said. “It never crossed my mind that I was taking a role from someone. I certainly don’t regret having taken it. It was a challenge!”
Turner did reveal that she likely would’ve passed on such a role today. Nonetheless, it was a great role and one that changed her career.
Source: NewsFinale
