Keith Morrison Steps Out Of His Comfort Zone To Remember Stepson Matthew Perry
Keith Morrison, stepfather to the late actor Matthew Perry, has paid tribute to his stepson in perhaps the most touching way possible.
Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing in "Friends," passed away suddenly in October 2023. Since Perry's abrupt death, fans and friends alike have taken to social media and other outlets to share their heartfelt remembrance posts of the beloved star. On November 27, Morrison also shared a touching post on X (formerly known as Twitter) to remember his stepson. It served as a meaningful call to action, too.
While Morrison has been mostly grieving privately, the famed journalist stepped out of his comfort zone to honor his stepson's legacy. The "Dateline" correspondent asked his followers to donate to the Matthew Perry Foundation, a public charity program aimed at assisting others in overcoming their addictions. "This is not the sort of thing I commonly do, this pitch," Morrison admitted in the post. "But this year is different. And tomorrow is Giving Tuesday. Do what you can; he would have been grateful." He followed his message up with a direct link to the foundation's page.
Morrison helps to honor Perry's final wish
The Matthew Perry Foundation, which was created by several of Matthew Perry's closest friends, is a charity that holds the late "Friends" star's mission in life close to its heart. On the website's homepage, a memorable quote from Perry is front and center. The witty TV star expressed a desire to be remembered after his death as someone who gave back to others, not just for his role as Chandler Bing. "Addiction is far too powerful for anyone to defeat alone. But together, one day at a time, we can beat it down," Perry is quoted as saying. While he was alive, Perry devoted his life to helping others achieve sobriety. He even converted his former Malibu residence into a men's sober living facility called the Perry House.
Keith Morrison kept his stepson's mission alive by including the charity's website in his social media post. His meaningful request shows just how close the two were. Another indication of their close bond is a little-known but heart-wrenching detail: Morrison was included in Perry's death certificate. Morrison's title in the document was "informant," meaning he was the person who gave personal details about the deceased to complete the certificate.
If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
The journalist praised his stepson in the past
While Keith Morrison kept his social media tribute to Matthew Perry short and sweet, the Dateline journalist has been open about his admiration for his stepson in the past. Morrison, who married Perry's mother in 1981, spoke to People in 2020 about the actor's magnetic personality and immense talent, something that he recognized in him from a young age.
"He's one of those people who always is the center of the room for a reason and it was so as a kid," Morrison told the outlet, recalling how much of a standout athlete Perry was in hockey and tennis throughout his adolescence. "He's an intense, talented, focused character. He's very bright. That was always the case as he was growing up."
The early talent and spirit that Morrison observed in his young stepson definitely carried into adulthood, with the journalist noting how well Perry fit into the iconic Chandler Bing role. Beyond this, Morrison heartwarmingly emphasized that his stepson was a good guy, a legacy for which he will surely be remembered. "He's just a talented soul, a smart guy," he said. "We love having him around."