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Family Conversations “Friends” star on the “Today” show

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Matthew Perry's family is remembering the late “Friends” star one year after his death.

The family — including Perry's mother Suzanne Morrison, stepfather and “Dateline” correspondent Keith Morrison and sisters Caitlin, Emily and Madeline Morrison — spoke to Savannah Guthrie in an interview with the “Today” show that aired Monday.

Perry, who was 54 at the time of his death, was found lifeless and face down in the “heated end” of his pool a year ago on Monday, October 28, 2023. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office announced in December last year that Perry's cause of death was due to “the acute effects of ketamine.”

“It hits me so hard that he’s not here,” Suzanne Morrison said.

“I am a very happy woman,” she said. “But there was a mistake, there was a problem that I couldn't solve – I couldn't solve it, I couldn't help him.”

“Oh God, yes,” Keith Morrison said of Perry’s “light up the room” persona. “It’s something you’re born with or not. And he was certainly born with it in abundance.”

“But I think it's fair to say he was very lonely in his soul,” Perry's mother said as her husband chimed in. “The kind of exterior that people know hid an insecure, often very sad guy.”

Perry played the role of Chandler Bing on the hit 90s and early 2000s sitcom Friends. He was open about his struggles with addiction, most notably in his New York Times bestseller “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” a culmination of his decades-long battle with sobriety, alcoholism and drug addiction.

“If it doesn’t stop, we’re going to lose so many millions of people,” Perry’s mother said through tears.

Matthew Perry's mother says she felt a “foreboding” before the “Friends” actor’s overdose death

The interview also highlighted the family's work to establish the Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada. Suzanne Morrison shared Perry with her ex-husband John Bennett Perry, their only child. The Morrisons, who married in 1981 and have four children of their own, founded the foundation to support agencies and organizations that help people struggling with addiction and substance abuse.

“No amount of money can cure an addict, they need something else,” said Keith Morrison.

California prosecutors have filed charges against five people for “distributing ketamine to Perry in the final weeks of the actor's life” in connection with Perry's death.

Three people have pleaded guilty: Dr. Mark Chavez, a former ketamine clinic operator; Perry's assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa; and an acquaintance, Erik Fleming.

Doctor Salvador Plasencia, 42, and Jasveen Sangha, 41, described in the Justice Department press release as “the ketamine queen” of North Hollywood, were charged with 18 counts for their involvement in Perry's death. Both have pleaded not guilty.

Suzanne Morrison said she was “thrilled” that charges have been filed in connection with Perry's death.

“What I hope, and I think the authorities who got involved in this hope, is that people who have made it their mission to supply people with drugs that kill them will now be taken notice of,” Keith said Morrison said. “It doesn’t matter what professional qualifications you have. You’re going down, baby.”

Matthew Perry's family remembers learning of his death

News of Perry's death reached his family via phone call.

“Someone called Suzanne and just said, 'Matthew is dead,'” Keith Morrison said, while Suzanne Morrison chimed in as the caller said, “Matthew is dead. Her son is dead.”

Perry's mother recalled a conversation with the actor shortly before his death in which he told her, “I love you so much and I'm so happy to be with you now,” saying “almost like it was.” Foreshadowing.”

“What was going to happen next to him was inevitable,” Suzanne Morrison said.

The family reflected on Perry's addiction, with Keith Morrison somewhat believing the actor was still sober when news of his death broke, while Perry's mother wasn't so sure.

“I don’t even know if he relapsed mentally,” sister Madeline Morrison added.

When asked what she missed most about Perry, Emily Morrison recalled that her brother was “grumpy all the time” and “funny all the time,” and tearfully said that Perry “would do anything for you.” .

“Really, all he ever wanted was to love and be loved,” she said. “He struggled so much to feel peace, and I think he found a place where he did.

Suzanne Morrison reflected on the guilt she felt about not knowing how to help her son overcome addiction and offered advice to other parents and loved ones who found themselves in the same situation.

“The one thing I have to learn – and it's very hard – is that you have to stop blaming yourself because it's tearing you apart,” said Suzanne Morrison.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental and/or substance use disorders, you can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's free and confidential referral and information service at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). It is available 24/7 in English and Spanish (TTY: 1-800-487-4889)..

Featuring: Taijuan Moorman, Jay Stahl and KiMi Robinson

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