John Stamos ‘nearly quit’ Hollywood over awkward Friends cameo

John Stamos wanted to quit acting after a deeply “embarrassing” moment during his Friends appearance – but Matthew Perry changed his mind.

John Stamos made a guest appearance on Friends alongside Matthew Perry. Picture: Supplied

John Stamos is remembering Matthew Perry with a heartwarming anecdote.

During the ninth season of Friends, the Full House actor guest-starred as a prospective sperm donor for Monica (Courteney Cox) and Chandler (Perry) but had an “embarrassing” experience taping the show, which was filmed in front of a studio audience.

“Standing backstage, ready to make my entrance, Matt whispers, ‘The audience is going go crazy when they see you! Get ready for some loud screams,’” Stamos recalled on Instagram on Tuesday alongside the 2003 scene in which he appeared, reports Page Six.

“I walk through the door … silence. I was so embarrassed.”

Stamos described the deeply awkward moment he made his big entrance.

Stamos, 60, finished the scene and started to “slither” back to his dressing room and “quit showbiz” as Perry walked over to the audience.

“’Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for John Stamos! You guys probably didn’t recognise him at first because he’s so much better looking in person!’” the If You Would Have Told Me memoirist remembered the Whole Nine Yards star telling the crowd.

“I never forgot that and the world will never forget you,” he concluded.

Perry was found dead on Sunday at home in his hot tub. He was 54.

His family released a heartbreaking statement confirming the news, telling fans that they are “heartbroken” over his “tragic” death.

“Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend,” they shared. “You all meant so much to him, and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.”

Perry was found dead on Sunday. Picture: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Stamos took to Instagram to pay tribute to him. Picture: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner completed Perry’s autopsy on Monday, but his cause of death has been deferred pending toxicology results.

Although his Friends co-stars remained quiet in the initial aftermath of Perry’s death, as sources said they were “reeling” from the devastating news, they came together to release a joint statement describing their overwhelming grief.

“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family,” Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc and Cox said.

“There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.”

The cast shared that they would “say more” when they were “able,” but “for now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”

This article originally appeared in Page Six and was reproduced with permission.