To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Matthew Perry's family reveal his heartbreaking final words to them as they vow to keep his legacy alive

Matthew Perry's family reveal his heartbreaking final words to them as they vow to keep his legacy alive

Friends actor Matthew Perry was found dead on 28 October 2023 at his Pacific Palisades home

A year on from the heartbreaking death of Matthew Perry, and the Friends actor's family have opened up on the last words he said to them prior to his passing.

Much-loved Chandler Bing actor Perry was just 54 when he died at his Los Angeles home last year.

An ongoing investigation found that the TV star - who battled drug addiction throughout the majority of his life - passed away as a result of the 'acute effects of ketamine', with 'drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine' being listed as contributing factors.

Heartfelt tributes - including from his co-stars, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt Le Blanc and David Schwimmer - have continued pouring in over the last 12 months.

Many fans have also credited the actor for having been their inspiration - both for his on-screen comedy, and his mental health battles.

And now, a year to the day that his body was tragically discovered in his property's on-site hot tub, Perry's family have rallied together to reminisce.

Speaking on the TODAY show, his mother Suzanne Morrison, step-father Keith Morrison, and three sisters, Caitlin, Emily, and Madeline Morrison, each reflected on the final days they spent with Perry before his death.

Perry is famed for his role as Chandler Bing on Friends (NBC)
Perry is famed for his role as Chandler Bing on Friends (NBC)

Suzanne claimed her son had told her, 'I love you so much, and I'm so happy to be with you,' just days before he passed - now believing his words to have been some kind of 'premonition'.

"There was an inevitability to — to what was going to happen next to him, and he felt it very strongly," she explained.

"But he said, ‘I’m not frightened anymore.’ And it worried me."

His step-father Keith also reflected on his final battle with addiction, claiming that, despite his death, he 'taught the world' a lesson.

"What he taught the world is that no amount of money will cure an addict. It needs something else. That’s what we’re trying to do (with the foundation)," he told US presenters.

And looking back over the years, his mother once again expressed her gratitude at the close-knit relationship she shared with her only son, but added that her only regret was that she couldn't help him.

Perry's family came together to discuss his legacy (TODAY/NBC)
Perry's family came together to discuss his legacy (TODAY/NBC)

"I’m a very lucky woman," she began. "But there was one glitch, there was one problem that I couldn’t — I couldn’t conquer it.

"I couldn’t help him."

Now, however, Suzanne wants to help, with the Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada, which - according to the company's website - provides 'post-treatment support living with substance abuse disorders'.

Caitlin told presenters: "He made it a big focus of his life to help other people, to encourage other people to say, ‘I need help.’ He tried to make people see that that was a brave thing."

Five of Perry's acquaintances - including his personal assistant, two doctors, and a prolific drug dealer - have since been tried over their part in his tragic death.

The Friends actor died last year (Mike Pont/WireImage)
The Friends actor died last year (Mike Pont/WireImage)

Whilst his mother claims she is 'thrilled' with the proceedings ahead of their second trial next year, his stepfather added: "What I’m hoping, and I think the agencies that got involved in this are hoping, that people who have put themselves in the business of supplying people with the drugs that’ll kill them — they are now on notice.

"It doesn’t matter what your professional credentials are. You’re goin’ down, baby."

Featured Image Credit: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage/Getty Images

Topics: Celebrity, Friends, Matthew Perry, US News, Mental Health, Health