Matthew Perry spoke about how he wanted to be remembered nearly a year before his death, explaining why he wanted to be more than just Chandler.
Matthew Perry spoke about how he wanted to be remembered nearly a year before his death, explaining how he wanted it wasn’t just for Friends. The beloved actor, best known for his portrayal of Chandler Bing on the seminal sitcom, died at the age of 54. Perry was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home. Since then, many of the remembrances and tributes have focused on Perry’s on-screen work and how he was able to bring so much to Chandler Bing through his performance. Whether it was through his perfect line delivery or his moments of sweet sincerity, Perry’s been involved in some of television’s most memorable scenes.
During a November 2022 interview on the Q With Tom Power podcast, Perry spoke openly about why he wanted his legacy to be about more than just the character of Chandler Bing and Friends.
In the quote below, Perry speaks candidly about how he wants to be remembered and what he hoped to spend the rest of his life doing:
I would like to be remembered as someone who lived well, loved well, was a seeker, and his paramount thing is that he wants to help people. That’s what I want.
The best thing about me, bar none, is that if someone comes to me and says, ‘I can’t stop drinking, can you help me?’ I can say ‘yes’ and follow up and do it. 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.
Perry Tried to Help Help Others From His Own Struggles
The actor has been open about his battles with addiction and his long path to sobriety, as Perry discussed it candidly in a 2022 memoir and the subsequent press tour. In 1997, after a jet ski accident, he became addicted to Vicodin and went to rehab in 2001. As of 2021, Perry shared that he was sober and mentioned that he’d spent $9 million on the path to recovery.
Perry turned his former Malibu home into a sober living facility named the Perry House, which ran until 2015. The actor was also a supporter of All Rise, an advocacy organization for justice system innovation addressing substance use and mental health disorders. Since his passing, there have been stories of how Perry helped others during their time of need, including Friends co-star and Simpsons actor Hank Azaria’s mention on Instagram.
Friends, in its own way, was a great help to many and Perry’s performances doubtlessly helped bring joy to millions. But separate from his celebrity status, Perry took something he struggled with and tried to build something better with it. It adds an extra layer of sadness to a life gone too soon. But it’s also a reason an important aspect to remember Perry for.
