Matthew Perry said in recent interviews that he would rather be remembered for helping people rather than his acting roles. Now the Friends star will continue to help others after his death last Saturday at age 54.

As ABC reports, the actor’s loved ones are coming together to establish “The Matthew Perry Foundation” in his honor. According to the foundation’s website, the organization was founded on the “realization of Matthew’s enduring commitment to helping others struggling with the disease of addiction.”

Matthew Perry opened up about his battle with addiction in recent years. In his memoir Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing, released last year, the actor remembered taking 55 Vicodin pills daily during his later years on the NBC sitcom while struggling with substance abuse.

“When I die, I don’t want ‘Friends’ to be the first thing that’s mentioned — I want helping others to be the first thing that’s mentioned. And I’m going to live the rest of my life proving that,” Matthew Perry was quoted as saying. “Addiction is far too powerful for anyone to defeat alone. But together, one day at a time, we can beat it down.”

Matthew Perry Has Been Hailed as a ‘Comedic Genius’ Following His Death

Perry, a former addict, was discovered unresponsive in a hot tub at his residence in Los Angeles on October 28th. Despite the efforts of first responders, they were unable to revive him. While an autopsy has been performed, the determination of the cause of death is pending the results of toxicology reports.

The comedic actor is beloved for portraying the witty and relatable Chandler Bing on the popular TV series Friends which aired for 10 seasons on NBC. The Matthew Perry Foundation operates as a donor-advised fund, supported and managed by the National Philanthropic Trust.

Warner Bros. Television, the studio behind Friends, released a statement following his passing. “We are devastated by the passing of our dear friend Matthew Perry. Matthew was an incredibly gifted actor and an indelible part of the Warner Bros. Television Group family,” NBC’s statement read. “The impact of his comedic genius was felt around the world, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of so many. This is a heartbreaking day, and we send our love to his family, his loved ones, and all of his devoted fans.”

In 2021, Perry joined his Friends cast for a special reunion on HBO Max. He also wrote a memoir called Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing last year. It shares his journey to stardom and battle with addiction candidly.