Sarah Paulson's hilarious story about Matthew Perry and a 'make-out party'

On Jimmy Kimmel Live Monday, Sarah Paulson stunned Kimmel with an only-in-Hollywood type of story about attending a “make-out party” full of huge names, but light on the making out. Paulson was invited to this party, at late writer Gore Vidal’s house, by the late great Carrie Fisher, whom she’d only met once. Shirley Maclaine was there, as was Queen Latifah. Matthew Perry was there as well, and that’s where things got a bit awkward for Paulson.

“I didn’t see anyone make out, but there was a hat with names in it, and you were supposed to make out with whomever you pulled out of the hat,” Paulson explained. “Matthew Perry pulled my name out of the hat, and then promptly left the room.” “How do you know he pulled it out?” Kimmel asked. “Because I saw him,” Paulson answered. “He was like, ‘Oh, well…” And he was like, ‘I got you.’ And I was like, ‘Uh, well let’s kiss.’ And he was like, ‘No.’”

The situation was made all the more awkward due to the fact that Paulson and Perry were already acquaintances. But, years later, the two would finally make out...on camera.

“We knew each other a little bit through one of my very best friends in the world, so it was awkward,” Paulson said. “But then we ended up playing romantic partners years later on a show called Studio 60, and I got my kiss. I got several kisses. And boy did he regret not taking me up on it back at Gore Vidal’s make-out party.”

Video transcript

JIMMY KIMMEL: A make out party?

SARAH PAULSON: Carrie had this and it was her idea to call it the make out party, where Shirley MacLaine was-- I mean, it huge-- it was I think Queen Latifah was there, all these people were there and I was obviously panicked because neurotic.

KYLIE MAR: Sarah Paulson joined Jimmy Kimmel Live! Monday, where she spoke about Carrie Fisher inviting her to an interesting party at writer, Gore Vidal's house. And of all the famous people Paulson encountered at the make out party, none stood out more than Matthew Perry.

JIMMY KIMMEL: People make out?

SARAH PAULSON: I never-- I didn't see anyone make out but there was a hat with names in it and you were supposed to make out with whomever you pulled out of the hat.

JIMMY KIMMEL: Really? Wow!

SARAH PAULSON: And Matthew Perry pulled my name out of the hat and then promptly left the room. And I was like--

KYLIE MAR: Paulson said she was down to give it a shot but Perry clearly was not.

JIMMY KIMMEL: Wait, how do you know he pulled it out?

SARAH PAULSON: Because I saw him. He was like, oh well, and he's like, I got you. And I was like, Ah, well, let's kiss. And he was like, no. And he--

JIMMY KIMMEL: What?

KYLIE MAR: But Paulson explained that Perry wasn't just being rude as the two were already acquainted. And years later, she and Perry finally kissed on camera.

SARAH PAULSON: We knew each other a little bit through one of my-- my very best friends in the world.

JIMMY KIMMEL: Oh, was it awkward--

SARAH PAULSON: And so it was awkward and he--

JIMMY KIMMEL: --because you knew each other?

SARAH PAULSON: Yeah, but then we ended up playing romantic partners years later on a show called Studio 60 and then I got my kiss.

JIMMY KIMMEL: Oh, you did?

SARAH PAULSON: I got several kisses.