Family plans Matthew Perry Foundation
Last month, "Friends" star Matthew Perry died at the age of just 54. Family, friends and colleagues are still deeply shocked. A foundation is now to be set up in the actor's name to care for people suffering from addiction, just as Perry himself was.
A month after his sudden death, the family of actor Matthew Perry have spoken about how they would like to preserve his legacy through a foundation. In a statement to "People" magazine, they expressed their desire to honor the memory of the "Friends" star. At the same time, the family emphasized the potential of the Matthew Perry Foundation to help people struggling with addiction.
"It is important to us as a family to honor Matthew's legacy," the statement read. The family is "proud" to be able to help others affected by addiction through the foundation. The Matthew Perry Foundation was launched just days after Perry's death on November 3 - with the aim of "identifying addiction as a disease, addressing the complex of stigma that prevents people from seeking and accessing medical care, and advocating vigorously for better and more equitable treatment".
Stepfather calls for donations
Perry's family has now emphasized how important the foundation is in honoring the actor's legacy "and his hard-won truth" and putting it to good use for others. The series star has spoken openly about his decades-long addiction to alcohol, drugs and medication.
The statement was made on the occasion of Giving Tuesday, when charity is the focus in the USA. Perry's stepfather, journalist Keith Morrison, also encouraged fans to donate to the foundation on Monday evening. "This is not what I normally do, this pitch. But this year it's different," he wrote in a message on X. "Do what you can; he would have been grateful," he added, citing the foundation's homepage.
Perry had the idea for the foundation himself
Before his untimely death at the age of just 54, the "Chandler Bing" actor had planned to set up a foundation to support people suffering from drug abuse. However, Matthew Perry was no longer able to put this plan into practice. His relatives then took over in his honor. A black and white photo of the late actor can currently be seen on the foundation's website, accompanied by his quote: "When I die, I don't want 'Friends' to be the first thing mentioned - I want 'Helping Others' to be the first thing mentioned. And I'll spend the rest of my life proving that."
Matthew Perry's assistant found the actor lifeless in his hot tub on October 28. The funeral took place on November 3 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles. All five "Friends" co-stars were also present at the private service. The exact cause of death is still unclear and the results of the autopsy are still pending. The family released a statement to "People" after Perry's death, saying: "We are heartbroken over the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother. Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and as a friend."
- The Matthew Perry Foundation, established in honor of the late "Friends" star, aims to help individuals battling addiction, a struggle Matthew himself faced with alcohol, drugs, and medication.
- In a heartfelt message on Giving Tuesday, Matthew Perry's stepfather, journalist Keith Morrison, urged fans to donate to the foundation, emphasizing its potential to make a significant impact in the lives of those affected by addiction.
- The television industry was shaken by the news of Matthew Perry's death at 54, and Hollywood continues to grapple with the high rate of substance abuse-related deaths, underscoring the urgent need for organizations like the Matthew Perry Foundation to address this pressing issue.
Source: www.ntv.de
