Matthew Perry Fans Recall Actor’s Wish to be Remembered for Helping Others

Matthew Perry

As news of Matthew Perry's death sinks in, fans are discussing the actor's life and remembering his acting work, especially in the role of Chandler Bing in Friends. But along with acting, Perry also did a lot to help spread awareness about addiction and share his story, while also directly helping people in need in other ways.

Now, fans are highlighting a poignant quote from Perry about wanting to be remembered for these efforts over acting. While the source of the exact quote going around is unclear, Perry repeated this sentiment many times over the years.

Most recently, while speaking to Tom Power about his life and memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir, Perry referenced his work helping others deal with abuse.

"I've said this for a long time. When I die, I don't want Friends to be the first thing that's mentioned," he said. "I want [the work helping addicts] to be the first thing that's mentioned, and I'm going to live the rest of my life proving that."

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Perry earnestly discussed his desire to help people suffering from addiction in the interview with Power, also stating, "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."

The late actor also shared this wish of how he wanted to be remembered years earlier in a People issue discussing the opening of Perry House, his Malibu home turned sober living facility, telling the publication, via Today, "When I die, I'd like Friends to be listed behind helping people."

Fans on social media quickly spread the quote, wanting to spotlight Perry's work helping others and thank him. Many kind comments followed, with fans writing notes like, "We only keep what we have by giving it away. A life in service of others is a life well lived. RIP to a legend," and, "This is beautiful and I hope people honor his wishes as we remember him."

More people shared similar sentiments, while the comments were also filled with personal stories about how Perry's struggles with addiction helped them fight their own—along with a few comments noting that Friends, along with just providing laughs and joy, also helped many people get through tough times in the same way.

Next, Matthew Perry Dead: Friends Cast Breaks Silence on His Untimely Passing