Matthew Perry’s stepfather Keith Morrison urged fans on Giving Tuesday to donate to a foundation set up in the late star’s name.
The 76-year-old Dateline journalist reached out to X in a heartfelt post on Monday urging people to donate to the Matthew Perry Foundation.
He wrote, “This is not what I normally do, this pitch.” But this year it’s different.”
‘Do what you can; he would have been grateful.’
This came after Perry’s family encouraged his fans to participate in Giving Tuesday and help others.
Matthew Perry’s stepfather Keith Morrison urged fans on Giving Tuesday to donate to a foundation set up in the late star’s name
Post: The Dateline journalist, 76, reached out to X in a heartfelt post on Monday urging people to donate to the Matthew Perry Foundation
The late actor’s relatives founded the Matthew Perry Foundation just days after his death at the end of October at the age of 54. (Pictured in West Hollywood in November 2022)
The late actor’s relatives founded the Matthew Perry Foundation just days after his death at the end of October at the age of 54.
The charity’s purpose is to help other addicts by “identifying addiction as a disease, tackling the complex of stigmas that prevent people from seeking and accessing healthcare, and advocating vigorously for better and fairer treatment.” .
In a statement to People, the Friends star’s family said: “It is important to us as a family to honor Matthew’s legacy.”
“We are proud to share with the world the Matthew Perry Foundation’s potential to help people living with this disease.”
Perry’s stepfather, Dateline reporter Keith Morrison, stepped out of his comfort zone and released a statement on And tomorrow is Giving Tuesday. Do what you can; he would have been grateful.’
The website features a black and white photo of the late actor with a statement about his legacy.
“When I die, I don’t want ‘friends’ to be the first thing mentioned – I want ‘helping others’ to be the first thing mentioned.” And I’ll spend the rest of my life proving that.”
“Addiction is far too powerful for anyone to conquer alone. But together, day by day, we can do it.”
In his memoir “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing,” Perry wrote that he attended 6,000 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and went to rehab 15 times.
After being honored by the Phoenix House treatment center in 2015, Perry told The Hollywood Reporter, “You can’t have a drug problem for 30 years and then expect it to be resolved in 28 days,” referring to the longest period of time among insurance companies in the United States, the costs of drug abuse treatment are covered.
Actor and friend Hank Azaria credited the comedian with accompanying him to his first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.
“I’ve been a sober guy for 17 years and I want to say that Matthew got me in the night I went to AA,” he wrote on social media.
Foundation: The Matthew Perry Foundation was created in the days following the actor’s death at age 54 (pictured in West Hollywood in November 2022)
Purpose: The nonprofit charity’s purpose is to identify addiction as a disease, combat the stigma that prevents people from seeking and receiving health care, and advocate for better and more equitable treatment (in April in Los Angeles).
“The first year I was sober, we went to meetings together,” the Simpsons actor said.
“He was so caring, generous and wise. And he totally helped me get sober. And I really wish he had, you know, found it in himself to stick to the silver life more consistently.’
Although he never met Perry, comedian John Mulaney, who chronicled his own battle with addiction on his Netflix show Baby J, said he was affected by his death.
“Addiction is just a disaster,” he told Variety.
Memoir: The actor wrote extensively about his struggles with addiction and the physical toll it took on his body in his memoir, Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing
“Life is like a shaky table in a restaurant that you pile all the crap on and it just gets shaky and unstable.” Then drugs just kick the damn legs out from under the table. I really identified with his story. I think about him a lot.’
Matthew Perry died on October 28 after being found unresponsive in the hot tub at his home.
Police at the scene reported no signs of crime.
An autopsy was performed, but the results have not been released pending the results of a toxicology report.
The Matthew Perry Foundation was established on November 3rd.
AA: After Perry’s death, actor Hank Azaria credited the Friends star with accompanying him to his first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. “He was so caring, generous and wise. And he totally helped me get sober,” he wrote in an online tribute (pictured in New York in May).
Identified: Although he never met Perry, comedian John Mulaney, who portrayed his own battle with addiction on his Netflix show Baby J, said he was affected by his death. “I really identified with his story,” he told Variety. “I think about him a lot”
Private Funeral: Perry was buried at a private funeral. All of his friends star; Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer were in attendance
A press release states: “In the spirit of Matthew Perry’s continued commitment to helping others struggling with the disease of addiction, we are embarking on a journey to honor his legacy by establishing the Matthew Perry Foundation, led by his own words and experiences.” and driven by his passion to make a difference in as many lives as possible.”
The actor was buried at a private funeral.
All of his friends star; Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer were in attendance.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please call the SAMHSA hotline at 1-800-662-HELP.