David Schwimmer Talks The ‘Friends’ Reunion & Playing Robert Kardashian

David Schwimmer and Matthew Perry will still be there for each other during the upcoming “Friends” reunion — even with an ocean between them.

Speaking with Access Hollywood’s Stephanie Bauer at the Television Critics Association Winter Tour in Pasadena, Calif., on Saturday, David addressed reports that Matthew won’t be available to join his co-stars for an upcoming television tribute to their former director, James Burrows.

“He’s a working man,” David said of Matthew, who will be in London preparing for his play “The End of Longing.”

David-Schwimmer-visits-the-SiriusXM-Studios-on-December-7-2015-in-New-York-City
(Getty Images)

“It won’t be a reunion, but it’ll be fun,” he added of the NBC event, scheduled to air on Feb. 21. “We’re honoring someone we love very much, Jimmy Burrows, our director.”

Matthew reassured fans about his involvement in the special during Friday’s “The Graham Norton Show,” explaining how he’ll still be able to make an appearance despite his physical absence.  

Looks like he won't be there for you.. Matthew Perry talks about the FRIENDS (TV Show) reunion!

Posted by The Graham Norton Show on Saturday, January 16, 2016

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“It’s not the ‘Friends’ reunion that everyone is hoping for,” he clarified. “I’m going to be introducing them from [London], because I’m doing the play here and can’t be there.”

David has a high-profile project of his own on the horizon, starring as attorney Robert Kardashian in the upcoming FX anthology “American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson.”

The actor opened up to Access about his preparation for the role, which included meeting with Kardashian’s ex-wife, Kris Jenner.

However, David said he didn’t feel the need to consult with Kardashian’s now-famous daughters Kim, Khloe and Kourtney, mostly because they were “so young” at the time of the trial.

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“What I needed to know was who [Kardashian] was as a husband and a man,” David explained. “Those are things that Kris Jenner was really helpful with.”

The 49-year-old touched upon his own memories of the ‘90s saga, which happened to coincide with the debut of “Friends.”

“We had just shot the pilot,” David recalled. “It was a very strange time for me, personally and professionally, to be suddenly launched into this other world – my first real break as an actor – and at the same time trying to stay in touch and in tune with what was happening in the real world.”

As for his experience working on the Ryan Murphy-led project, David said he believes that “The People v. O.J. Simpson” will shed new light on the infamous story.

“It will definitely be illuminating to everyone who watches,” he said. “It certainly was to me.”

“American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson” airs Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 10 PM ET/PT on FX.

— Erin Biglow

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