Highlights

• Perry took a stand against Hitchens' views on addiction, speaking from personal experience.
• Fans praised Perry for his honesty and vulnerability in discussing his struggles with addiction.
• Perry's ultimate goal was to be remembered for helping others get sober, not just for his role on Friends.

Without a doubt, Matthew Perry will always be remembered for his time on Friends. However, the actor wanted to make a bigger impact, especially when it came to those that struggled with addiction.

Prior to his death, Perry was open about his struggles. In truth, that wasn't anything new. The actor had been an advocate for years, and that included during a 2013 interview alongside BBC.

In the following, we're going to take a look back at that interview which also featured Peter Hitchens. The author had some "interesting" views, and it was clear that Perry didn't agree with them. We'll reveal what the actor had to say, and how the fans reacted to the interview.

Let's take a look back.

Matthew Perry Went After Peter Hitchens For His Thoughts On Preventing Alcoholism

We go back to 213 for this moment. Matthew Perry was discussing a very sensitive topic; addiction. It seems like Peter Hitchens had controversial views and was advocating for a drug policy reform. However, Perry clearly did not agree with the author's point of view, who called addiction a "fantasy."

"When do I get to speak? I didn't come to listen to ludicrous things like that either," Perry interjects. "The American medical association diagnosed it as a disease in 1976. You're saying that is incorrect?"

Perry continues, "I'm a person that if I have a drink, I can't stop. And so it would be following your ideology that I'm choosing to do that. Your book is the only book in modern times that has that ideology. Doesn't that teach you something? I'm in control of the first drink, so I'm doing everything I can not to have the first drink. But once I have the first drink, the body kicks in. This is all documented alcoholism, and I can't stop after that."

Perry made the better points, especially given that he was speaking from experience, unlike Hitchens who didn't go through such issues.

As expected, fans had a lot to say after the interview took place, and it would also resurface following Perry's passing. Once again, Hitchens faced a lot of hate over a decade later after the interview. Fans have clearly been consistent with their opinions.

Matthew Perry Was Praised By Fans For His Interview Comments

Over on the BBC News YouTube channel, fans went after Hitchens as expected, while praising Matthew Perry for his interview conduct and the fact that he was able to keep cool under such circumstances. The topic was one the late actor took very seriously and struggled with for so many years.

The most liked comments featured a mixture of feelings from the viewers.

"Peter Hitchens is a lesson to all of us to listen to whats being said and not how people carry themselves. This conversation is of Matthew Perry point blank expressing his self awareness of what addiction does to him and Hitchens who is ignorantly in his own bubble cant even be spoon fed a mind set that is not his own."

"I'm somewhat flabbergasted by how or why Peter Hitchens feels that he's an authority on this subject. he has no medical training, no training in psychiatry, and no specialised training in addiction. so why is he trying to lecture everyone else on addiction?"

Other fans also shared their appreciation for Matthew Perry.

"R.I.P you wonderful man. It's so sad how only after your passing that I really appreciated you. I genuinely admired you before but didn't realise how much you actually meant to people like me with addiction until you left us. You are truly missed and I will be forever grateful for your help with my own and many others demons. Rest now my friend, you will not be forgotten."

"Matthew was vulnerable, honest and sincere. He'll always have a place in my heart."

Perry clearly handled himself with class, and fans appreciated his vulnerability.

Matthew Perry Wanted To Be Remembered For Helping Others With Addiction Issues

Sure, Matthew Perry will always be thought of by fans as Chandler Bing on Friends. However, the actor's goal was to be remembered for helping others get sober. It was an ongoing battle Perry faced, and one that he was overcoming in recent years before his passing.

“I would like to be remembered as somebody who lived well, loved well, was a seeker,” Perry said. “And his paramount thing is that he wants to help people. That’s what I want.”

He continues, “The best thing about me, bar none, is that if somebody comes to me and says, ‘I can’t stop drinking, can you help me?’ I can say ‘yes’ and follow up and do it,” Perry said. “When I die, I don’t want ‘Friends’ to be the first thing that’s mentioned. I want that to be the first thing that’s mentioned. And I’m gonna live the rest of my life proving that.”

The actor certainly did that and more just by sharing his true experiences.