Nearly a year ago, Matthew Perry revealed what he wanted to be most remembered for in his life, and it wasn't for portraying our beloved Chandler Bing on Friends.
In the wake of Perry's passing on Saturday, a resurfaced clip of the actor speaking with Tom Power’s Q podcast has been making its way across social media.
Perry was on the podcast to talk about his 2022 memoir Friends, Lovers, And The Big Terrible Thing. In the book Perry detailed his journey through a decades-long struggle with addiction.
At the time of the memoir's release, the actor revealed he was 18 months sober.
While speaking with Power last November, Perry shared that he wanted to be remembered most for helping others who struggled, as well.
He said:
“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. That’s the best thing."
"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. I want [helping other people kick addiction] to be the first thing that’s mentioned and I’m going to live the rest of my life proving that.”
You can watch the clip below.
Sad news, I was tuned into his journey. \n\nRest in peace Matthew Perry, dedicated to using the battle he was fighting with his own demons to help other\u2019s \ud83d\udd4a\ufe0f— (@)
Viewers commended the actor for his dedication to helping others achieve sobriety, and vowed to respect his wish.
He had an incredible wit and self awareness rare in Hollywood but he also helped people in a similar situation to himself. Rest in peace Matthew. \ud83d\ude25— (@)
Perry, who struggled with addiction on and off for years, spoke often about his journey. After a jet ski accident in 1997, the actor became addicted to Vicodin and went to rehab in 2001.
In 2013, he converted his Malibu home into a sober living house, called the Perry House, which ran until 2015.
Throughout the course of his battle, Perry revealed he had spent $9 million to become sober.
The actor was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home on Saturday, and his death was confirmed by Capt. Scot Williams of the Los Angeles Police Department’s robbery-homicide division.
Perry was 54. The cause of death is pending further investigation.
