How Matthew Perry's Wish Is Becoming a Reality After His Death
Matthew Perry
Matthew Perry's life's mission will still be carried on in the wake of his death.
Following the beloved Friends star's untimely passing, sources closes to the actor have announced that a foundation will be created in his honor.
The Matthew Perry Foundation will be a charity devoted to helping those struggling with substance abuse, a battle that the actor himself fought for much of his own life.
"The Matthew Perry Foundation is the realization of Matthew's enduring commitment to helping others struggling with the disease of addiction," reads the mission statement on the foundation's website.
The organization further promises to "honor his legacy and be guided by his own words and experiences and driven by his passion for making a difference in as many lives as possible."
The foundation's website also shares a quote from the late actor, who said in a 2022 interview that his hope was to be remembered for helping others battling addiction and striving for sobriety.
"The best thing about me, bar none, is that if somebody comes to me and says, ‘I can’t stop drinking, can you help me?’ I can say ‘yes’ and follow up and do it,” he said in the interview with podcast host Tom Power at the time. "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. And I’m gonna live the rest of my life proving that."
The organization set up in Perry's honor also featured a quote from the late star's memoir, Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing, which he released just about exactly one year ago.
"Addiction, the big terrible thing, is far too powerful for anyone to defeat alone," he wrote on the last page of his book. "But together, one day at a time, we can beat it down.
To make a contribution to the Matthew Perry Foundation, you can visit the donor page on their website.
