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Topics: Celebrity, Friends, Matthew Perry, TV and Film, Mental Health, US News
Joe Harker
Topics: Celebrity, Friends, Matthew Perry, TV and Film, Mental Health, US News
The song played at Matthew Perry's funeral is the quote he used to write in his books, he once revealed in an interview.
Last month he sadly died at the age of 54 and yesterday (3 November) a private funeral ceremony was held in his honour.
Following his death, a new foundation - the Matthew Perry Foundation - has been established to help addicts with their recovery.
Perry was an outspoken advocate of helping people with their addictions, having gone through alcohol addiction himself.
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The foundation has promised to carry on Perry's work of 'helping others struggling with the disease of addiction' and promised to 'honour his legacy'.
"When I die, I don’t want Friends to be the first thing that’s mentioned," Perry said before his death.
"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.
"Addiction is far too powerful for anyone to defeat alone. But together, one day at a time, we can beat it down."
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The actor had set up a sober living facility at a former home and an interview he did last year about his book Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing he spoke about how he'd like to be remembered.
Perry said at the time that during his funeral he'd like the song 'Don't Give Up' by Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush to be played, and explained that he used to write those words when signing his books for people.
In his book Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing he explained that he'd spent around $7 million and made 15 trips to rehab in an attempt to get sober.
His Friends co-stars Courtney Cox, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, Jennifer Aniston and Matt LeBlanc were among those in attendance at Perry's funeral yesterday.
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The private ceremony was held at the Forest Lawn cemetery in the Hollywood Hills with around 20 mourners in attendance.
"We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew," Perry's co-stars said in a statement following his death.
"We were more than just cast mates. We are a family. There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.
"In time we will say more, as and when we are able.
"For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world."