Matthew Perry's Legacy

Matthew Perry, best known as Chandler Bing from the famous TV show Friends was a famous comedian who always knew how to give people a humorous time. He has left a remarkable legacy for the film industry. The film star wanted to be acknowledged as more than just an actor. Perry wanted to be remembered as a loving person who always helped those in need. Sadly, Matthew Perry passed away on October 28, 2023, at the young age of 54. He was found dead in his mansion home in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California. at 4:07 p.m.  The supposed cause of his death was drowning.

Matthew Perry was born on August 19, 1969, in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Perry had always said he felt alone and parentless. Before Matthew turned a  year old, his parents separated. Growing up, Perry had to work for the attention of his mother and father. His mother was a former beauty queen and his father was a former musician who later turned to acting. He never got the attention an average child would have received, and he said it shaped him to become more mature for his age. 

Perry published the book Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir about his struggles with addiction. Perry had a lot of personal problems and resorted to using alcohol as a coping mechanism. Matthew Perry started to drink at age 14, and from there on, he struggled a lot with substance abuse. Perry said, “If this doesn’t kill me, I’m doing this again.” The thought never crossed his mind that later on in his life, it would have such a big impact. Thankfully, he found his way through the addictions and became sober in the year 2021. Approximately $9 million was spent from going from facilities all the way to treatment centers.

Perry understood what it was like to battle against these addictions, so he created the “Perry House” which was a men’s sober living facility. The house was overlooking the Malibu Pier and was open  2013 to 2015. Matthew Perry once said, “Addiction is far too powerful for anyone to defeat alone. But together, one day at a time, we can beat it down.” The sole purpose of the house was to help struggling alcoholics and drug addicts fight against their addictions and live a healthy lifestyle. 

Finally, Perry wanted to be remembered as someone who wanted to help and make sure people wouldn’t have to go through what he experienced. Matthew was a person that everyone loved and adored. Matthew Perry was nominated for the Primetime Emmys award for his famous role in Friends (1996-2004), The West Wing (2003), and The Ron Clark Story (2006). Matthew Perry will always be known for his unwavering desire to assist others.