Matthew Perry charity auction features ‘Friends’ memorabilia

“Friends” memorabilia, artwork, and personal items from Matthew Perry’s estate will be auctioned to benefit the charitable foundation established in the late actor’s name. The June 5 event, organized by Heritage Auctions, aims to support the Matthew Perry Foundation’s mission to destigmatize addiction and help those struggling with substance abuse.

“Matthew believed addiction should be met with compassion and science, not stigma and silence,” said Lisa Kasteler Calio, CEO of the foundation, in a statement. “This auction fuels the Foundation’s work to expand access to evidence-based care and confront stigma. It is one more way we ensure that no one has to fight this disease alone.”

The auction features an impressive collection of items that highlight Perry’s decade-long role as Chandler Bing on the iconic NBC sitcom. Among the most notable offerings are 26 “Friends” scripts from pivotal episodes, including “The One With Ross’s Tan,” “The One Where Joey Speaks French,” and the two-part series finale. Warner Bros., the producer of the series, has donated scripts from the pilot and part one of the series finale, all signed by Perry and his co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer.

Fans and collectors will also have the opportunity to bid on Perry’s 1995 Screen Actors Guild Award for best performance by an ensemble in a comedy series, a personal replica of the yellow peephole frame that adorned Monica and Rachel’s apartment door, and Perry’s “Friends” photo album titled “The One With the Last Supper.” The auction also includes valuable artwork from Perry’s personal collection, featuring pieces by renowned artists Banksy and Mel Bochner.

The auction site opened on Tuesday, with items to be displayed from May 18 to May 29 in Beverly Hills before the June 5 auction, which will be held both at Heritage Auctions’ Dallas showroom and online. Net proceeds will support various initiatives backed by the foundation, including the Matthew Perry Fellowship in Addiction Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, grants to organizations working directly with recovering addicts, and Healing Appalachia, a recovery-focused sober music festival.

Perry, who became one of television’s biggest stars during “Friends'” 1994-2004 run, was found dead in the hot tub of his Hollywood home on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54. The medical examiner determined that the acute effects of the anesthetic ketamine were the primary cause of death.

The investigation into Perry’s death has led to legal consequences for several individuals. Five people have already pleaded guilty to charges connected to the case, including two doctors and a self-admitted drug dealer. Perry’s personal assistant and a friend who acted as a middleman are scheduled to be sentenced later this month.

This auction represents a meaningful way to honor Perry’s legacy while supporting a cause that was deeply important to him in his later years. The actor was open about his own struggles with addiction, detailing his journey in his 2022 memoir “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.” In it, Perry revealed his nearly fatal battle with substance abuse and his commitment to helping others facing similar challenges.

The Matthew Perry Foundation continues the work the actor had begun in advocating for addiction treatment reform and reducing the stigma surrounding addiction. By transforming personal memorabilia into funding for these initiatives, the auction creates a lasting impact that extends beyond Perry’s cultural contributions through his acting career.

For fans of “Friends” and supporters of addiction recovery efforts, the auction offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of television history while contributing to a cause that addresses one of society’s most persistent health challenges.