13 March 2024 , 13:05
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Matthew Perry's stepdad Keith Morrison opened up about the loss of his the Friends star on Good Morning America, revealing how he felt the actor was "beating" his struggles with addiction before his death.
In late October of last year the world grieved the loss of the beloved actor after he was found deceased in his hot tub after drowning following the "acute effects" of ketamine. Now, Matthew's stepdad has opened up more about the loss of the actor-turned-author who he continues to grieve the loss of every day.
During a guest appearance on TODAY show co-anchor Hoda Kotb's podcast Making Spaces, Keith explained that Matthew felt that he was overcoming his addiction ahead of his death. He explained: "He felt like he was beating it," and added: "But you never beat it, and he knew that, too.”
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Keith opened up about his struggles with grieving the loss of his stepson Matthew (GMA)Before Matthew's death at 52, Keith explained that his stepson felt that he had beat his addiction as was reportedly sober for 19 months. This comes as the star previously battled severe addiction to alcohol and Opioids, specifically Vicodin throughout his life. This was a battle that he was very transparent about and something he discussed at length in his famous memoir Friends, Lovers, and The Big Terrible Thing.
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Keith explained that he was there to support Matthew as much as possible throughout his battle with addiction, a struggle that he described as "so virulent, that went after him so hard." He explained that Matthew would sometimes find himself at a "certain point" and knew he needed to receive professional help. Keith said: “But as he said himself, it just kept happening … and it was a big bear,” Morrison said. “It was a tough thing … [a] big, terrible thing.”
The former Dateline correspondent went on to describe how he has been navigating the loss of Matthew admitting that it is something he still struggles with on a day to day basis. He explained: "It’s with you every day. It’s with you all the time. And there’s some new aspect of it that assaults your brain, and it’s not easy.”
Keith said that he worked to support Matthew throughout his battle with addiction (SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Matthew described his stepfather as a 'lovely' man who held their family together (Getty Images)Keith shared a special connection with Matthew ahead of his tragic death. The pair grew very close after he married his mother Suzanne Perry Morrison in 1981 over 10 years after her break-up with his dad, John in 1970 when he was just one years old.
When speaking on his memory of him, Keith sweetly described his stepson as a "larger-than-life person” who always “lit up a room.” The 76-year-old retired broadcaster said Matthew was goofy, funny, and acerbic with the ability to always be the center of attention without even saying a word.
Matthew also spoke of his relationship with his stepdad Keith in his memoir describing him as a "lovely" man who cared for his mother deeply. He wrote: “The only thing that is annoying about Keith is that he always takes my mother’s side. He is her protector," he continued: "I can’t tell you how many times my mother has done something that I may have taken issue with and I’ve been told by Keith that it never happened. Some would call this gaslighting, others would call it gaslighting — it’s gaslighting. But my family was held together by one man, and that was Keith Morrison.”