Matthew Perry’s mother, Suzanne Morrison, is remembering her son on what would have been his 57th birthday and reflecting on the battle with addiction that followed him throughout much of his life. Morrison shared a deeply personal message Tuesday, August 19, through the Instagram account for Matthew Perry House, the organization created by Perry’s family to support people in recovery following the “Friends” star’s death in October 2023.
Matthew Perry’s Mom Says She Misses Him ‘All the Time’
“August 19. It’s his birthday. Matthew was born 57 years ago today, a day that I feel as keenly as if all happened this very morning. Along with all the days he struggled, and the days he hid his addiction from the world, and even from me,” Morrison wrote.
Morrison accompanied the message with a throwback photo showing her feeding Perry a bottle when he was a baby.
“Sweet, loving, funny, cantankerous, pig-headed Matthew, who wanted – so much – to be well. I miss him terribly. All the time. Everyday,” she continued.
Her tribute also returned to something Perry frequently spoke about in the final chapter of his life: his desire to help other people facing addiction.
“And I hear him saying over and over in those last days of his life, ‘I just want to help people like me, stuck in the disease of addiction.’ He can’t anymore. But we can. And with your help, we will,” Morrison wrote.
The post included a link encouraging followers to support Matthew Perry House, which says its mission is to continue his legacy by helping people in recovery with compassion and dignity.
How Did Matthew Perry Die?
GettyPerry was found dead in the hot tub at his Los Angeles home on October 28, 2023. He was 54.
The Los Angeles County medical examiner determined his death was caused by the “acute effects of ketamine,” with drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine listed as contributing factors.
Perry had spoken extensively about his decades-long struggles with substance abuse, including in his 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.”
What Has Matthew Perry’s Mom Said About His Assistant?
GettyMorrison has also spoken out ahead of the sentencing of Perry’s former personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, who pleaded guilty in connection with the actor’s death.
Federal prosecutors said Iwamasa repeatedly injected Perry with ketamine despite having no medical training. In a victim impact statement, Morrison wrote that the family believed his job was to help protect Perry during his struggle with addiction.
“But instead of protecting Matthew, he aided and abetted illegal drug taking, arranged for one source of supply, then another,” she wrote, as per ABC News. “Shot the drugs into Matthew’s body, though he was not in the least qualified.. He did it even though he could see, anyone could have seen, it was so obviously dangerous. And he did it again and again.”
How Is Matthew Perry’s Family Continuing His Legacy?
Perry became a television icon as Chandler Bing on “Friends”, but in his later years he increasingly spoke about wanting his recovery work to become as important as his acting career.
His family has continued that mission since his death, using Matthew Perry House to provide resources for people struggling with substance use.
For Morrison, his birthday brought those two parts of his life together: the son she still misses every day and the mission he hoped would outlive him.
If you or someone you know is struggling with drug or alcohol use, contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). The free, confidential service is available 24/7 and provides treatment referrals and information in English and Spanish. You can also visit FindTreatment.gov to find treatment services near you.
