David Schwimmer surprised Matthew Perry praised his ‘Friends’ acting
David Schwimmer appeared on the Podcast “Origin with Cush Jumbo”. (via People) and was surprised to hear the host talk about a conversation she once had with Matthew Perry, in which the late actor praised Schwimmer’s physical comedy. Perry and Jumbo co-starred in one season of “The Good Fight,” while Perry and Schwimmer worked together for 10 seasons on “Friends.”
Jumbo, who has long been impressed by Schwimmer’s physical comedy, was on the set of “The Good Fight” with Perry and asked her co-star if that style of comedy just came naturally to Schwimmer.
“[Perry] tells that it doesn’t get out of hand at all, that you are a pivotal figure in a scene and that most people were always looking to you to physically know which direction things should go,” Cumbo told Schwimmer. “Without you being the pin, the other things don’t work, which I thought was very complimentary and probably very true.”
Schwimmer was shocked by the story and told Jumbo: “That’s a huge compliment and I’m surprised to hear it because Matthew was reserved with me. He wouldn’t say that to me, but I really appreciate it.”
“Yes, I am one of the few in the cast who has undergone rigorous theater training,” Schwimmer continued. “I think it has to be delicately and carefully choreographed and I would work and work and work on any physical comedy in a scene.”
Schwimmer added that every time he had a physical comedic moment in “Friends,” he would “meticulously structure and choreograph it, not only so that I would never hurt myself or hurt anyone else, but so that I would could repeat many, many times. I think that’s maybe what he’s getting at.”
Perry died last October at the age of 54 from the acute effects of ketamine. Schwimmer paid tribute to the late actor on Instagram at the time write in a message: “I will never forget your impeccable comedic timing and delivery. You can take a straight line of dialogue and bend it to your will, resulting in something so original and unexpectedly funny that it still surprises you.”
Listen to Schwimmer’s full interview on the Podcast “Origins with Cush Jumbo” here.
