Matthew Perry’s legacy will proceed to shine on.
Pals near the late “Friends” star — who died on Oct. 28 on the age of 54 from an apparent drowning — have announced that they’ll establish the Matthew Perry Foundation.
The organization will likely be formed to assist those battling substance abuse.
“The Matthew Perry Foundation is the belief of Matthew’s enduring commitment to helping others combating the disease of addiction,” officials said in a press release to Entertainment Tonight.
The charity will proceed on Perry’s goal of helping individuals with addiction.
“The Matthew Perry Foundation is the belief of Matthew’s enduring commitment to helping others combating the disease of addiction,” the statement went on.
“It’ll 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 Canadian actor struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for much of his life, eventually gaining sobriety in May 2021.
He also formed the Perry House in 2013 that resided in his former Malibu abode, which was a male sober living facility.
The “Serving Sara” actor had even hoped to create a charity to assist individuals with addiction before he passed, an act that his friends are able to institute as a option to honor him.
Perry’s substance issues began when he abused Vicodin following a jet ski accident in 1997. He then accomplished a stint in rehab that very same yr.
At the peak of his struggles, he would take 55 of the pills per day, causing his weight to drop to 128 kilos.
In his memoir, “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing,” Perry described his substance problems at length, explaining that he attended about 6,000 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and went to rehab 15 times.
Moreover, he estimated that he spent around $9 million attempting to get sober.
Perry explained in 2002 during one his sober periods that he quit drugs because he had a fear of dying.
Telling the Recent York Times: “I didn’t get sober because I felt prefer it. I got sober because I used to be frightened I used to be going to die the following day.”
“Every little thing’s clear for one split second,” he said on the time. “I realize, I’ve got to go save myself. I got on the phone and called the individuals who were willing to assist me.”
