The family of Matthew Perry is honoring the late “Friends” star as they mark the anniversary of his passing.

Perry’s family, which includes his mother Suzanne Morrison, stepfather and “Dateline” correspondent Keith Morrison, and sisters Caitlin, Emily, and Madeline Morrison, spoke with Savannah Guthrie in an interview on Monday’s “Today” show.

Perry, who died at 54, was discovered unresponsive in his pool exactly one year ago, on October 28, 2023. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office announced in December that his death was caused by “the acute effects of ketamine.”

“It’s incredibly hard to accept that he’s not around anymore,” said Suzanne Morrison.

“I consider myself a fortunate woman,” she continued. “Yet there was one issue, one challenge that I couldn’t— I couldn’t overcome or assist him with.”

“Oh absolutely,” agreed Keith Morrison when discussing Perry’s ability to “light up the room.” He added, “That’s something you either have or you don’t, and he definitely had it in abundance.”

“However, it’s essential to point out that he was very lonely within himself,” Perry’s mother expressed. Keith added, “The public persona masked a deeply insecure and often very sad individual.”

Perry was famous for his role as Chandler Bing in the beloved sitcom “Friends,” which aired in the ’90s and early 2000s. He candidly discussed his battles with addiction in his New York Times-bestselling memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” which detailed his long-term struggles with sobriety and substance abuse.

“If this issue continues, we’re going to face a crisis affecting countless individuals,” Perry’s mother tearfully stated.

The interview also shed light on the family’s initiative to establish the Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada. Suzanne Morrison, who shares Perry with her ex-husband John Bennett Perry, noted that their foundation aims to support organizations helping individuals battling addiction and substance misuse.

“No financial aid alone will solve addiction; they need more than that,” Keith Morrison remarked.

In connection to Perry’s death, California prosecutors are pursuing charges against five individuals for allegedly “distributing ketamine to Perry leading up to his passing.”

Three individuals have pleaded guilty: Dr. Mark Chavez, who previously managed a ketamine clinic; Perry’s live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa; and a friend, Erik Fleming.

Additionally, two others, Physician Salvador Plasencia, 42, and Jasveen Sangha, 41, known as the “Ketamine Queen” in North Hollywood, have been charged with 18 counts related to Perry’s death. Both have entered not guilty pleas.

Suzanne Morrison expressed her happiness that charges have been brought regarding Perry’s death.

“We hope that this sends a message to those supplying dangerous drugs to others—that they are being watched,” Keith Morrison observed. “Your professional qualifications won’t save you; you are accountable.”

Family Shares Recollections of Hearing the News of Perry’s Passing

The family learned about Perry’s death through a phone call.

“Someone called and told Suzanne, saying, ‘Matthew’s gone,'” Keith Morrison shared, with Suzanne recalling that the caller stated, “Your son is dead.”

Perry’s mother reflected on a conversation she had shortly before his passing, where he expressed, “I love you so much, and I’m so happy to be with you now,” which felt almost prophetic.

“There seemed to be an inevitability to the situation he was in,” Suzanne Morrison observed.

The family also discussed Perry’s struggle with addiction, with Keith Morrison feeling that, paradoxically, he believed Perry was sober at the time of his passing, while Suzanne had her doubts.

“I’m not even sure if he considered himself to be backsliding,” said his sister Madeline Morrison.

When asked what she cherished most about Perry, Emily Morrison shared that he was “irritable all the time” yet “hilarious all the time,” with tears in her eyes as she remembered how Perry would “do anything for you.”

“At the core, all he wanted was to love and be loved,” she expressed. “He fought so hard to find peace, and I believe he finally reached a place where he could.”

Suzanne Morrison shared the remorse she felt for not knowing how to support her son amid his struggles with addiction, offering insight for other parents and loved ones facing similar challenges.

“One crucial lesson I’ve had to learn — and it’s incredibly difficult — is that you must stop blaming yourself because it can destroy you,” Suzanne Morrison stated.

If you or someone you care about is facing challenges with mental health or substance use, you can reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s confidential and free service at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). It is available 24/7 in both English and Spanish (TTY: 1-800-487-4889).