Matthew Perry's personal collection, featuring annotated scripts, worn tennis rackets, Batman memorabilia, pre-worn suits, and a renowned Banksy painting, is set to be auctioned off to support his foundation dedicated to helping those battling addiction. Perry, who struggled with addiction himself, died at age 54 from a ketamine overdose in 2023.
Auction Details
On June 5, Heritage Auctions will sell these items at their Dallas, Texas headquarters. Brian Chanes, Senior Director of Hollywood & Entertainment at Heritage Auctions, gave The Daily Mail a preview, highlighting the special role these belongings played in Perry's life. 'The outpour of enthusiasm and support and adoration for Matt has been amazing,' Chanes said.
Memorabilia Highlights
The collection includes a rare outline for the show originally titled 'Six of One' before it became Friends, describing it as 'six single people living in New York... about friends and lovers, IKEA furniture, cappuccino, bad date, Spanish soap operas, and Mr. Potato Head.' Perry's tennis rackets, with broken strings, show his dedication to the sport. He played up to 10 hours a day as a child and was influenced by his idol Jimmy Connors.
Other items include a New York Rangers jersey, a Batman piece, a custom 'Mattman' sculpture from Jimmy Kimmel, and a 'Chandler Bing' gag gift card. A set of VHS tapes from Warner Brothers is currently bid at $330, while a Banksy artwork is projected to sell for over a million dollars.
Perry's Legacy and Foundation
Perry's addiction struggles were well-documented, especially during his time on Friends. He wrote about them in his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. His foundation, established after his death, aims to help others with addiction, reflecting his quote: '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.'
Five people have been convicted in connection with his overdose, including his assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, who was sentenced to 41 months in prison. Iwamasa expressed remorse, saying, 'I hope I'll be a cautionary tale to someone who's in my position to make better choices.'
