Matthew Perry and My Brother Share the Legacy of Helping Destigmatize Addiction
My brother was at his best supporting others
Like many people, I was gutted when I heard about actor Matthew Perry’s death on Saturday night. Of all my parasocial relationships, this was one of the longest and deepest. I loved him from the first time I watched the TV show Friends. I can repeat some of his quips from that show note for note. He was even one of my first “hall passes.”
Then, as the years went on, I pulled for him in his recovery, admiring his openness about his struggle and his commitment to helping others.
During my obsessive reading of news updates and tributes this weekend, I came across this quote from his 2022 autobiography Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir.
But when I die, as far as my so-called accomplishments go, it would be nice if Friends were listed far behind the things I did to try and help other people.
I know it won’t happen, but it would be nice.
Matthew had the means to do big things for those in recovery, and he did, building Perry House, a sober living community for men.
But he didn’t just throw money at the problem. As the Friends theme song goes, he was there for people…
