Despite Matthew Perry’s brilliant performance in Friends, behind the scenes, the talented actor struggled with alcohol and drug addiction. At one point during the filming of the sitcom, Perry’s addiction struggles peaked as he appeared frequently high or drunk on set. His castmate noticed the late actor’s addiction problem was getting worse, so they staged an intervention but were unsuccessful.
However, in 2001 Perry took a two-month break from the production of Friends and the film Serving Sarah to check into a rehab center and continued to seek help until he got sober. Prior to his death, the late star channeled his former demons into a great tool and was in the process of starting a foundation for those who battle addictions.
Matthew Perry had always wanted to help people with addiction
Perry’s lifelong aspiration extended far beyond his acting career on Friends as he harbored a deep desire to establish a lasting legacy. In a 2022 interview with Q’s Tom Power, the actor shared his drive to reach out and provide support to those who, like himself in the past, grappled with similar struggles.
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“The best thing about me, bar none, is if somebody comes up to me and says, ‘I can’t stop drinking. Can you help me?’ I can say yes and follow up and do it,” Perry admitted. “And I’ve said this for a long time: when I die, I don’t want Friends to be the first thing that’s mentioned,” Perry shared in light of his strong resolve to be at the front line of providing help to people suffering from addiction. “And I’m gonna live the rest of my life proving that.”
His successes were his motivation to help others
Perry was spot on about men’s mental health and addiction issues and helping them live a successful life. “I created the Perry House in Malibu, a sober living facility for men. I also wrote my play, The End of Longing, which is a personal message to the world, an exaggerated version of me as a drunk,” Perry shared during a discussion. “I had something important to say to people like me and to people who love people like me.”
He also explained that he considers his outstanding success and achievements as the motivation that drives him to help others. “Wonderful things happened in my life — I’m incredibly grateful for all of them,” he confessed to Tom Power. “But that’s the ticket for me: helping people on a large scale, or helping, you know, one guy, and seeing the light turn on.”
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