Matthew Perry Foundation established to help those struggling with addiction after star's death

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By Kim Novak

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The Matthew Perry Foundation has been set up in the wake of the Friends star's death, in order to keep his legacy of helping people alive.

Perry, 54, was found unresponsive at this home in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles on October 28, and is believed to have drowned in his hot tub.

Prior to his death, the actor had been open about his past struggles with drug and alcohol addiction, and had made it his mission to help others facing similar issues.

He had also said that he hoped to be remembered for his work helping other addicts over and above his work on Friends, and his loved ones are helping to make that a reality with the Matthew Perry Foundation.

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Matthew Perry's foundation will continue his legacy of helping people battling addiction. Credit: Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images)

According to a report from TMZ, Perry's loved ones are launching the foundation in his name after Perry had planned to create the organization months before his tragic death.

The foundation will continue Perry's work helping addicts overcome substance abuse while honoring the star's legacy.

Perry previously said: "I've had a lot of ups and downs in my life. But the best thing about me is that if an alcoholic or drug addict comes up to me and says, 'Will you help me?' I will always say, 'Yes, I know how to do that. I will do that for you, even if I can't always do it for myself!'

"When I die, it would be nice if Friends were listed far behind the things I did to try to help other people. I know it won't happen, but it would be nice."

The foundation's website quotes Perry as saying: "When I die, I don't want Friends to be the first thing that's mentioned — 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 hopes his legacy of helping people is the first thing people remember about him over Friends. Credit: Getty Images

The page adds: "The Matthew Perry Foundation is the realization of Matthew's enduring commitment to helping others struggling with the disease of addiction.

"It will honor his legacy and be guided by his own words and experiences and driven by his passion for making a difference in as many lives as possible."

At present, the website is still under construction so shows just mission statement and the option to donate, with TMZ confirming that it has been created by Perry's team directly.

The actor had previously set up the Perry House by turning his former Malibu home into a retreat for men battling addiction, which used a combination of a 12-step program and holistic therapies and meditation to help others into recovery.

Perry had reportedly been found unresponsive by his assistant on Saturday afternoon, who called 911, but first responders found he was already deceased on their arrival.

His autopsy has been completed but his official cause of death has been deferred pending the results of toxicology tests, which can take several weeks.

Find out more about the Matthew Perry Foundation here.

Featured image credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images