Matthew Perry revealed how he wanted to be remembered — and it wasn't for Friends

The star, who was known for his role as Chandler Bing in the sitcom, died on Saturday aged 54

Matthew Perry died aged 54. Picture: Brian Ach/Invision/AP)

Matthew Perry revealed how he wanted to be remembered for more than his role in  Friends during an interview that has resurfaced following the actor’s death.

Perry, who was known for playing Chandler Bing on the American sitcom, died on Saturday aged 54.

The PA news agency said it understands that officers from the Los Angeles Police Department responded to a radio call just after 4pm on Saturday for a death investigation of a male in his 50s.

In a resurfaced clip from an interview on the Q with Tom Power podcast last year, Perry talked about how he wanted to be remembered.

"The best thing about me, bar none, is that if an alcoholic or drug addict comes up to me and says, 'Will you help me?' I can say, 'Yes' and follow up and do it," he told the host.

"I've said this for a long time — when I die, I don't want Friends to be the first thing that's mentioned. I want that to be the first thing that's mentioned, and I'm going to live the rest of my life proving that."

The interview took place while the Friends star was promoting his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, where he also outlined his desire to be known for more than his role in the much-loved sitcom.

Sad news, I was tuned into his journey.

Rest in peace Matthew Perry, dedicated to using the battle he was fighting with his own demons to help other’s 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/8TIMPhP097

— Daniel O’Reilly (@dapperlaughs) October 29, 2023

“I've had a lot of ups and downs in my life. I'm still working through it personally, but the best thing about me is that if an alcoholic or drug addict comes up to me and says, 'Will you help me?' I will always say, 'Yes, I know how to do that. I will do that for you, even if I can't always do it for myself! So I do that, whenever I can. In groups, or one on one,” he wrote in the memoir. 

“And I created the Perry House in Malibu, a sober-living facility for men. I also wrote my play The End of Longing, which is a personal message to the world, an exaggerated form of me as a drunk. I had something important to say to people like me, and to people who love people like me.

“When I die, I know people will talk about Friends, Friends, Friends. And I'm glad of that, happy l've done some solid work as an actor, as well as given people multiple chances to make fun of my struggles on the world wide web...

“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 to help other people.

“I know it won't happen, but it would be nice."

David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, Matthew Perry, Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston and Matt LeBlanc pose after Friends won outstanding comedy series at the 54th Primetime Emmy Awards, 2002, in Los Angeles. Picture: AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File

Tributes have been pouring in since the news of the star’s death broke on Saturday.

In a joint statement, Friends co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane, along with executive producer Kevin Bright, described their shock at Perry’s death.

“We are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by our beloved friend Matthew’s passing,” they said.

“We will always cherish the joy, the light, the blinding intelligence he brought to every moment – not just to his work, but in life as well.

“He was always the funniest person in the room. More than that, he was the sweetest, with a giving and selfless heart.” 

They added: “This truly is The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken.”