LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: As the world is still trying to grapple with the death of Matthew Perry, anecdotes and stories shared by celebrities, including his close actress friend Christine Birchfield, are helping fans to remember the actor for being more than just Chandler Bing.
While Perry is best known for his portrayal of Chandler in the immensely popular NBC sitcom ‘FRIENDS’, the Emmy-nominated actor, who struggled with alcoholism and addiction for a long time, wanted his legacy to be something else.
The ‘17 Again’ actor always wanted to be remembered for his kindness and his incessant desire to make people’s lives better, and his celebrity friends are helping in honoring his wish.
Birchfield said to PEOPLE, “Matthew had the kindest heart and the best personality. He was nothing like any of the characters he played on television.”
She added, "He was so much more kind, relatable, and his humor was beyond comprehension. He was truly one of a kind."
Birchfield further claimed that Perry not only helped establish her career but also tried “to put others before himself”
She explained, "He helped me learn more about the industry and how to be a screenwriter. Matthew helped me with questions during my film school journey and supported my passions.”
"He was compassionate, giving and seemed to always try to put others before himself,” shared Perry’s friend.
Restating Perry’s wishes, she hoped people would remember the star not only for his onscreen work but also his offscreen benevolence.
Birchfield continued, "He is a great loss for the world and I hope people remember him for more than being an actor, but for the heart he held.”
Matthew Perry wanted to be remember as someone who ‘wants to help people’
Perry time and again voiced his desire to be remembered for his good work. In September 2022, while talking to Tom Power at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema in Toronto, he said, “I would like to be remembered as somebody who lived well, loved well, was a seeker," before specifically adding, "And his paramount thing is that he wants to help people,” per PEOPLE.
He emphasized, "That's what I want,” and continued, "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.”
The ‘Fools Rush In’ actor continued, "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."
In October 2022, he told PEOPLE he was proud of himself for "caring about others, for never giving up. Helping people as much as I do."
Perry continued, "That’s probably my favorite thing about myself. Being creative, seeing, learning that if you’re uncomfortable or feeling anxiety, one of the ways to get out of that situation is to be creative."
Matthew Perry opened 'Perry House' in 2013
Perry opened a sober living facility for males in Malibu in 2013 called the 'Perry House'. After his long struggle with alcoholism, he understood the relevance of such a place and opened the center to help people in need.
In 2013, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter he said, “I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in my life and a lot of wonderful accolades,” before adding, "The best thing about me is that if an alcoholic comes up to me and says, ‘Will you help me stop drinking?’ I will say, ‘Yes. I know how to do that.'"
