The former star of the infamous TV-show, Friends, Matthew Perry passed on October 28, 2023. He was found dead in his hot tub in his Los Angles home. This caused an out-pour of support and love from his friends, family and fans, as well as recognition of his longtime commitment to helping others get sober. He lived only 54 years, but lived a tremendous and wonderful story.

Many know the actor from his and his co-stars show, Friends, but he also starred in classics like 17 Again, and Fools Rush In. But Perry did not wish to be known for his roles in the movies or shows that he played a part in. “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,” the actor says. “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 is mentioned. And I am going to live the rest of my life proving that.” Perry said in an interview with Tom Power.

Perry spoke candidly about his own struggles with drug and alcohol addiction in his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing. His memoir is available in stores like Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and even Walmart! Not only did Perry himself become sober, he also turned his former home in Malibu into a sober living facility called the Perry House, until it closed in 2015.

Friday November 3, Perry’s friends and family gathered to honor his memory at his funeral. His former co-stars from Friends, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, Courtney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, and Lisa Kudrow attended the memorial near where the sitcom was filmed. Before the funeral the establishment of the Mathew Perry Foundation was announced. Sponsored and maintained by the public charity, the National Philanthropic Trust, the organization will work with those who struggle with addiction.