Matthew Perry was reportedly in the early stages of setting up a foundation dedicated to assisting individuals dealing with substance abuse-related issues in the months leading up to his untimely passing.
According to TMZ, the late performer was planning on establishing an organization similar to the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation in an effort to fund addiction recovery treatments.
It was also reported that the friends of the actor, who died at the age of 54 this past Saturday, are planning on setting up an organization in his memory.
According to the media outlet, Perry wanted his legacy to have been marked by his dedication to helping those dealing with substance abuse issues, as opposed to his high-profile role in Friends, in which he portrayed Chandler Bing.
The performer had been open about his struggles with addiction in the past, and he gave his fans detailed descriptions of his former issues in his memoir Friends, Lovers, And The Big Terrible Thing, which was published last year.
Doing his best: Matthew Perry was in the ‘early stages of setting up a foundation dedicated to assisting individuals dealing with substance abuse-related issues’ in the months leading up to his untimely passing; he is seen in 2017
In his book, the Primetime Emmy Award-nominated actor admitted to developing a dependence on alcohol at the age of 14, which progressed to daily drinking by 18.
Perry also sat down for an interview with Diane Sawyer in October of last year, during which she spoke about how he dealt with his addiction on the set of Friends, where he attempted to hide his issues from his costars.
He recalled via Entertainment Tonight: ‘I made a rule that I would never drink or take anything at work. But I would show up blindly hung over.’
The performer went on to discuss how his castmates unexpectedly confronted him after they smelled alcohol on his person during filming, and wrote: ‘I thought I was hiding it so well.’
The actor went on to develop addictions to various substances, and he became reliant on painkillers after he was involved in a jet ski accident on the set of the 2000 feature Fools Rush In.
Perry’s addiction progressed to the point where he recalled taking as many as 55 Vicodin pills every day, among other substances.
Although the performer entered various rehabilitation facilities on several occasions, he also suffered numerous relapses throughout his life.
The actor’s issues came to a head in 2018, when he nearly died after his colon burst due to his opioid addiction.
Working hard: According to TMZ , the late performer was planning on establishing an organization similar to the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation in an effort to fund addiction recovery treatments; he is seen in 2022
Harsh memories: In his book, the Primetime Emmy Award-nominated actor admitted to developing a dependence on alcohol at the age of 14, which progressed to daily drinking by 18
Making it out alive: The actor’s issues came to a head in 2018, when he nearly died after his colon burst due to his opioid addiction; he is seen in 2022
Perry had also been active with recovery-related organizations throughout the later stages of his life, and he formerly operated a rehabilitation center known as Perry House from his former mansion in Malibu.
The performer ran the center for several years before he sold his former residence in 2015, although he still remained devoted to assisting those dealing with addiction issues.
At the time, the actor spoke to The Hollywood Reporter and stated that he was proud to be able to help in other individuals’ processes of recovery.
Perry said: ‘The best thing about me is that if an alcoholic comes up to me and says, “Will you help me stop drinking?” I will say, Yes. I know how to do that.”‘