The late actor Matthew Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing in the popular TV show 'Friends', has left behind a legacy of advocacy for addiction recovery. Perry, who had a long history of addiction, was found dead at his Los Angeles home. The cause of death was reported as an apparent drowning in a hot tub, with initial tests indicating no fentanyl or meth in his system.
Perry had spent around $9 million on his substance abuse and sobriety battle. He had founded Perry House, a sober living facility for men in Malibu, and advocated for treatment instead of incarceration for those charged with drug-related offenses. His message that sobriety is possible was underlined by three tenets he espoused: asking for help, building community, and practicing self-compassion.
Following Perry's death, a foundation has been established in his name to help individuals dealing with addiction. The Matthew Perry Foundation, announced via a press release, is accepting donations and is guided by Perry's own experiences and words. The foundation is sponsored and maintained by the National Philanthropic Trust, a public charity that has raised over $49 billion since its inception.
In a quote published with the foundation's announcement, Perry expressed his desire for his legacy to be about helping others, particularly in the fight against addiction. The creators of 'Friends', Marta Kauffman and David Crane, reflected on their last conversations with Perry, stating he seemed happy and in a good place.