How Perry's Mom, Suzanne, Remembers Her Son's Battle with Addiction

Suzanne Morrison, the mother of late actor Matthew Perry, opened up about her son's decades-long struggle with addiction during an emotional interview. She sat down with Savannah Guthrie on the "Today" show, along with her husband, Keith Morrison. Suzanne admitted that she felt helpless in trying to support her son through his addiction. "I'm a lucky woman, but there was one thing I just couldn't conquer, " she said, her voice filled with emotion. Perry, best known for his role in "Friends, " died last year at the age of 54. His cause of death was determined to be the acute effects of ketamine, with drowning and coronary artery disease as contributing factors. During the interview, Suzanne and Keith recalled the phone call they received on October 28, 2023, informing them of their son's death. They remembered Perry as a charismatic person with a light presence, but also someone who was deeply lonely and insecure. In the months leading up to his death, Perry had been using ketamine, an anesthetic used for treating depression and pain. Although he claimed to be sober, his usage of ketamine reportedly spiraled out of control. Keith revealed that they were not aware of the extent of his drug use. Since Perry's passing, several people, including two doctors and his personal assistant, have been charged in connection with the distribution of ketamine. Suzanne reflected on her son's battle with addiction and the pain of not being able to help him. She shared that she was trying to stop blaming herself, understanding how harmful it can be. Just before his death, Perry had a meaningful conversation with his mother, telling her how much he loved her. She remembered feeling an odd sense of premonition during that conversation.