Remembering Matthew Perry: A Year Later, Reflections on Life and Loss

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Matthew Perry’s family is commemorating the late “Friends” star one year after his passing.

During an interview with Savannah Guthrie on the “Today” show, aired on Monday, Perry’s family discussed their memories and feelings. This includes his mother, Suzanne Morrison, stepfather and “Dateline” correspondent Keith Morrison, and his sisters Caitlin, Emily, and Madeline Morrison.

Perry was found unresponsive at age 54 in the heated section of his pool on October 28, 2023. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner determined that his death resulted from “the acute effects of ketamine.”

“It hits me so hard that he’s not there,” Suzanne Morrison expressed. She reflected on the challenges she faced, stating, “But there was one glitch, there was one problem that I couldn’t—I couldn’t conquer it, I couldn’t help him.”

Keith Morrison remembered Perry’s infectious personality, noting, “It’s something you’re born with, and he was certainly born with it in spades.” However, Suzanne shared, “But it must be said, I think, that he was very lonely in his soul,” while Keith added that the persona the public knew masked deeper insecurities and sadness.

Perry, who played Chandler Bing on the beloved sitcom “Friends,” was candid about his struggles with addiction in his bestselling memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” which chronicled his long battle with sobriety, alcoholism, and drug abuse.

Suzanne expressed concern for others who struggle, saying through tears, “If it doesn’t stop, we’re going to lose so many million people.”

The family has established the Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada to support organizations that assist individuals grappling with addiction. Suzanne Morrison, who shared Perry with her ex-husband John Bennett Perry, emphasized that “no amount of money will cure an addict; they need something else,” as Keith noted the foundation’s goals.

Prosecutors in California have filed charges against five individuals linked to Perry’s death for allegedly distributing ketamine during his final weeks. Three have entered guilty pleas, including Dr. Mark Chavez, a former operator of a ketamine clinic; Perry’s live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa; and acquaintance Erik Fleming. Two others, Salvador Plasencia and Jasveen Sangha, face multiple charges but have pleaded not guilty.

Suzanne expressed satisfaction that charges are being pursued, with Keith adding, “People who have put themselves in the business of supplying people with the drugs that’ll kill them— that they are now on notice.”

The news of Perry’s death reached his family via phone. Keith recalled, “Somebody called Suzanne, and he just said, ‘Matthew’s dead,’” with Suzanne mentioning the caller’s stark message: “Matthew’s dead. Your son is dead.”

Suzanne reminisced about a conversation with her son shortly before his death, where he expressed love and happiness in a manner that felt prophetic. “There was an inevitability to what was going to happen next to him,” she reflected.

The family shared insights about Perry’s fight with addiction, with Keith believing he might have still been sober at the time of his death, while Suzanne had doubts. Madeline added, “I don’t even know if in his mind he had relapsed.”

Emily Morrison spoke fondly of her brother’s character, noting how he could be “grumpy all the time” yet “funny all the time,” and emphasized that all Perry ever wanted was to love and be loved.

Suzanne reflected on her feelings of guilt for not being able to help Perry, advising other parents and loved ones that “you’ve got to stop blaming yourself, because it tears you up.”

If you or someone you know is dealing with mental health or substance use issues, you can reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s free and confidential helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357), available 24/7 in both English and Spanish.

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