Matthew Perry’s Aspiration: To Be Remembered for His Aid to the Addicted, Rather Than Just His Iconic ‘Friends’ Character

Renowned actor Matthew Perry, famous for his role as the witty and sarcastic Chandler Bing on the hit show “Friends,” recently expressed his desire to be remembered for his work in helping people overcome their addiction struggles. In a November 2022 interview with Tom Power, Perry stated, “The best thing about me, bar none, is if somebody comes up to me and says, ‘I can’t stop drinking, can you help me?’ I can say yes and follow up and do it. When I die, I don’t want ‘Friends’ to be the first thing that’s mentioned. I want that to be the first thing that’s mentioned.”

Sadly, Perry was discovered by his assistant in a hot tub at his home in Pacific Palisades. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s office confirmed that an autopsy has been conducted, with toxicology results still pending.

Perry’s dedication to helping the sober community and individuals overcoming addiction did not go unnoticed. The actor sold his Malibu home years ago and established Perry House, a sober living facility for men. Though he sold it in 2015, Perry’s commitment to bringing joy to his fans and being open about his own struggles became evident. He once said, “I might not be able to do it for myself, but I will help you if you ask for it.”

In his memoir titled “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” Perry shared his battle with alcoholism and opiate addiction, along with his relentless fight to overcome it. The book reveals that Perry’s addiction to painkillers began in 1997 after a jetski accident. However, he had recognized his problem with alcoholism when he was just 21 years old. Throughout his life, Perry sought help through rehab programs approximately 15 to 17 times. Astonishingly, he admitted to taking 55 Vicodin pills in a single day while working on “Friends.”

Despite his personal struggles, Perry’s determination to help others and share his story resonated with fans and fellow industry professionals. Co-host Charlie Hurt described Perry’s openness as admirable, applauding his commitment to raising awareness and assisting others in similar situations.

Today, Matthew Perry is remembered not only for his iconic role on “Friends” but also for his profound impact on the sober community and addiction recovery. His legacy serves as a reminder that true success lies in the ability to help and uplift others in their time of need.

*Images:
1. Matthew Perry – https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/10/1200/675/Matthey-Perry.jpg?ve=1&tl=1
2. Matthew Perry and memoir – https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/10/1200/675/matthew-perry-memoir.jpg?ve=1&tl=1
3. Friends cast – https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/07/1200/675/friends-cast.jpg?ve=1&tl=1