Matthew Perry's Mother Reflects on "Unavoidable" Path Leading to Friends Star's Tragic Passing

Matthew Perry's mother, Suzanne Morrison, recently shared insights into her son's final days and their last heartfelt conversation in an emotional interview with NBC's Today show, almost one year after Perry's accidental death.

Matthew Perry's Mother Reflects on Last Moments with Her Son, "There Was an Inevitability to It"

In a candid interview, Suzanne Morrison, the mother of the late Friends star Matthew Perry, opened up about her last conversation with her son before his passing. Morrison spoke with Savannah Guthrie for Today alongside Perry’s stepfather, Keith Morrison. In the preview aired on Friday, October 25, ahead of the full segment set to release on October 28, the first anniversary of Perry's death, Suzanne discussed an especially moving moment when Perry, in one of his last conversations with her, expressed deep love and contentment. Recalling the memory, she noted, “He came up to me and said, ‘I love you so much and I’m so happy to be with you now.’”

Reflecting on this exchange, Suzanne described how it felt almost “premonitory,” as if Perry sensed the finality of their encounter. “It’s been years since we talked like that. I think there was something inevitable about what was going to happen to him, and he felt it strongly,” she said. “He wasn’t scared anymore, and that worried me.”

Savannah Guthrie highlighted the family's courage, acknowledging that this is the first time they have openly spoken about his tragic passing. Guthrie further shared that Perry's family feels purpose in continuing his mission of helping others in addiction recovery—a cause that had become central to Perry's life and work. Perry was well-known for using his platform to help others get sober, and his family is committed to keeping that mission alive.

Perry’s sudden passing at age 54, on October 28, 2023, left fans, friends, and family reeling. He was found unresponsive in his home’s hot tub, with an autopsy later revealing ketamine, coronary artery disease, and drowning as contributing factors. Perry had also been taking buprenorphine, a medication for opioid dependency, which highlighted his ongoing struggle with addiction.

Months after his passing, a formal investigation was launched to trace how the actor acquired the ketamine, leading to the arrest of five individuals, including medical professionals. Authorities alleged that those charged exploited Perry’s addiction for financial gain, ultimately prioritizing profit over his wellbeing. United States Attorney Martin Estrada remarked, “These defendants were more interested in profiting off Mr. Perry than caring for his well-being.”

The interview will mark a significant milestone for Perry’s family, who have channeled their grief into advocating for addiction recovery, intending to keep his legacy alive by helping others overcome the struggles he knew all too well.