On what would have been his 57th birthday, one lesser-known chapter from the show’s awards history stands out because Perry voluntarily gave up a chance to compete for an Emmy in 2000.
Matthew Perry Chose to Leave the Emmy Race After a Submission Error
By 2000, “Friends” was already an established television phenomenon. The series had premiered in 1994 and centered on Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler and Ross, with the six actors sharing the spotlight throughout its run. The ensemble structure was important enough that the cast made efforts to prevent any one performer from becoming the show’s sole focus.
According to IMDb trivia, that philosophy extended to awards season. Rather than separately positioning themselves as lead performers, the cast members entered themselves in the same acting categories. The arrangement reflected the hit’s central idea that its six characters worked collectively, rather than having a single star carry the title.
In 2000, however, Perry’s name was mistakenly submitted for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. The error put him in a category that did not match the approach the “Friends” cast had established for awards consideration. Once Perry learned what had happened, he asked his publicist to contact the Television Academy and withdraw his name.
There was a complication. By that point, Emmy ballots had already been sent out, meaning the Academy could not simply move Perry’s submission into the supporting category. So, the actor chose to remain out of the competition altogether that year. The decision meant that Perry gave up the opportunity to compete individually rather than break with the arrangement he shared with his co-stars.