Matthew Perry’s sister Caitlin Morrison is focused on keeping her brother’s legacy alive one year after his sudden death.
“He had this ability to fill up a room with light,” Caitlin, 43, told Hello! Canada in the first interview since his death, published on Wednesday, October 23. “When people were in a room with [Matthew], there was this magnetic energy. Everybody just had a smile on their face, and they clung to everything that he said.”
Caitlin and her father, Keith Morrison (Perry’s stepfather), also told the publication about their latest project, The Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada.
“The work that I’m doing now is very selfish because it kind of feels like I’m sitting right next to Matthew, working with him every day on something that was important to him,” Caitlin said, noting that it’s been “wonderful” to feel “very close” to her late brother through her role as executive director of the organization.
The late Matthew Perry is survived by his big family following the actor’s sudden death at the age of 54. “We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother,” they shared in a statement on Sunday, October 29. “Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and […]
Perry died in October 2023 at age 54 from the “acute effects of ketamine.” Us Weekly confirmed at the time that the Friends actor was found unconscious in his hot tub after police responded to a call at his California home. A toxicology report released by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office in December of that year listed drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine (which is used to treat addiction) as contributing factors in his death.
Matthew Perry with mom Suzanne and sister Emily in Los Angeles, California. Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
“When [Matthew] suddenly died, it was incredibly shocking,” Keith, 77, told the publication. “Anybody who has lost a child will tell you that, even if you are in some way prepared for the possibility, it’s shattering. What we have decided to do is hang on to that determination and try to do something useful.”
The Dateline correspondent said that his stepson would want to be remembered for “doing something to help people suffering from addiction.” Their foundation was created to honor this.
In the wake of recent arrests related to Matthew Perry’s death, Us Weekly is looking back at how the late star discussed his use of ketamine treatment in his 2022 memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. Nearly only one year before his death, Perry wrote that he used the drug “to ease pain […]
While Perry’s passing was ruled accidental in January, the investigation has since been reopened and five people have been federally charged in connection with his death.
Perry’s assistant Kenneth Iwamasa pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death and an acquaintance of Perry named Erik Fleming pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death. Dr. Mark Chavez pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute ketamine. Iwamasa, Fleming and Chavez are cooperating with the investigation in exchange for a lesser charge.
Dr. Salvador Plasencia and Jasveen Sangha (a.k.a the “Ketamine Queen”) have pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine.
If you or someone you know are struggling with addiction or mental health, contact the national Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at samhsa.gov or 1-800-662-HELP.
