Matthew Perry Foundation Establishes Incredible Legacy For Actor After Tragic Death

By Chris Snellgrove | Published

On October 28, the world was shocked to discover the death of Friends icon Matthew Perry. While the exact cause of Perry’s death remains unknown (there was an autopsy, but the toxicology report hasn’t come in yet), the actor had been very public about his struggles with substance abuse in the past.

Before he died, the actor had dreamed of starting a foundation to help others struggling with addiction, and now The Matthew Perry Foundation is officially running and accepting donations.

Matthew Perry Wants To Be Remembered Most For Helping Others

matthew perry

This should come as good news to Matthew Perry fans who recently had their hearts broken all over again when reading the actor’s previous thoughts on how he wanted to be remembered after his death. In an interview just last year to promote his memoir, Perry said, “When I die, I don’t want Friends to be the first thing that’s mentioned — I want helping others to be the first thing that’s mentioned…I’m going to live the rest of my life proving that.” 

The Matthew Perry Foundation Seeks To Help Those Struggling With Addiction

Tragically, the actor’s life didn’t last nearly as long as he had hoped, which means that he didn’t have enough time to personally help as many people as he dreamed of helping. Fortunately, the Matthew Perry Foundation exists to honor his memory, and it was created in the spirit of his final words during that interview. “Addiction is far too powerful for anyone to defeat alone,” he said, “But together, one day at a time, we can beat it down.”

Matthew Perry Passed Away October 28, 2023

As for Matthew Perry, the exact details of his death remain both mysterious and perplexing. He was found unconscious in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home on Saturday, October 28, and the first responders could not revive him despite their best efforts. An autopsy was conducted on Perry’s body to determine the exact cause of death, but the autopsy results have been officially deferred until the toxicology report comes in.

Sadly, Matthew Perry didn’t live long enough to create this foundation, but after his untimely death, the actor’s friends and loved ones saw this as the best possible way to honor his memory. An official statement for the announcement of The Matthew Perry Foundation says that it was created due to Perry’s “enduring commitment to helping others struggling with the disease of addiction.”

The foundation itself will be “guided by [Perry’s] own words and experiences” and, like the deceased icon for whom it is named, is dedicated to “making a difference in as many lives as possible.”

Fans Are Encouraged To Make Donations

friends reunion

The Matthew Perry Foundation also encourages fans of the actor to support the organization by going to its official website. There, it is easy to make a donation to the organization and do your own part to help others who may be struggling with addiction and substance abuse. For those who are (quite understandably) still mourning the death of this beloved actor, making a donation may even be a cathartic way to finally make peace with his passing.

The Foundation Is Sure To Make A Big Difference In The Battle Against Addiction

matthew perry

We obviously have no way of knowing exactly how successful it will end up, but we’ve got a feeling that The Matthew Perry Foundation is likely to make a major difference in thousands of lives. As a star on the long-running sitcom Friends, Matthew Perry spent more than 10 years delivering some of the best lines and biggest laughs to audiences all around the world. Now, Perry’s biggest fans have the chance to honor his passing by helping others finally break the cycle of substance abuse and addiction.