Matthew Perry may be gone, but fans will soon have the chance to hold onto a meaningful piece of the actor who made millions laugh as Chandler Bing. From handwritten scripts and worn tennis rackets to “Friends” memorabilia and personal keepsakes, a collection of Perry’s belongings is heading to auction, all in support of a cause deeply tied to the late actor’s own journey. The emotional sale will benefit the Matthew Perry Foundation, which helps people battling addiction, a struggle Matthew Perry openly faced throughout much of his life.
On June 5, Heritage Auctions will offer fans the chance to purchase a range of Matthew Perry’s personal items at its Dallas, Texas headquarters. The collection features everything from scripts scribbled with notes to “Batman” memorabilia, pre-worn suits, tennis rackets, magazines from the height of “Friends” fame, and even a famed Banksy artwork.
According to Brian Chanes, Heritage Auctions’ Senior Director of Hollywood & Entertainment, the response surrounding Perry’s collection has been deeply emotional. “The outpour of enthusiasm and support and adoration for Matt has been amazing.,” Chanes told Daily Mail.
For many fans, the auction represents more than just memorabilia, but it offers a connection to an actor whose humor and honesty touched millions.
Rare ‘Friends’ Memorabilia Offers A Look Back At TV History
Among the standout items is a rare script outline from “Friends” before the iconic sitcom even had its famous name. Originally titled “Six of One,” the document gives fans an early glimpse into the beloved show that would eventually make Perry a household name.
“This was the name of ‘Friends,’ ‘Six of One,’ before it became ‘Friends,’ but this is a basically an outline, basically ‘From the creators of ‘Cheers’ and ‘Frasier’, you know, ‘Six of One,’” Chanes explained. “’Six single people living in New York is about friends and lovers, IKEA furniture, cappuccino, bad date, Spanish soap operas, and Mr. Potato Head,’ but anyway, it just gives the rundown of it, and then here is a pilot.”
Warner Bros. also donated an autographed “Friends” script that has already reportedly reached bids of $16,000.
Matthew Perry’s Love Of Tennis Lives On Through His Personal Collection
Outside of Hollywood, Perry had another major passion: tennis. The actor played competitively growing up and was heavily inspired by tennis legend Jimmy Connors, even dreaming of a professional career before pivoting to acting.
Some of Perry’s well-worn rackets, complete with broken strings from years of use, are now among the items up for auction. “Obviously well-worn, you can see the gut strings are popped on a couple of them,” Chanes said. “He was heavily influenced by sports, especially tennis,” Chanes added. “He loved hockey too ’cause he was from Ottawa, but he felt particularly motivated by his idol Jimmy Connors.”
According to Chanes, Perry practiced relentlessly as a child. “He would play up to 10 hours a day when he was a kid,” he said, explaining Perry competed in tournaments in Canada before moving to Los Angeles.
Fans Don’t Need Millions To Own A Piece Of Perry
While some of the higher-end pieces, including Banksy artwork, are expected to fetch six or even seven figures, auction organizers say there will also be affordable options for everyday fans. “One thing I want to make clear for people is that we have things for just a few $100 and we have things that are going to sell for maybe a million or more, that Banksy over there, the girl with the balloon,” Chanes explained.
Among the more accessible items are Perry’s personal VHS tapes from Warner Bros., which were reportedly sitting at around $330 in bidding. “We have his set of VHS tapes that were from Warner Brothers,” Chanes said. “It was like his master VHS of the final… It’s from his collection.”
“Right now, I think the bidding is at $330, and so you can have something of his that’s a good commemorative morsel, if you will,” Chanes continued. “And for [a] relatively small amount, and of course, knowing that the funds are going to his favorite cause is the real kicker.”
Matthew Perry’s Legacy Continues To Help Others
Perry famously battled addiction throughout much of his life, including during the height of Friends, when he starred alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer. He later opened up about his struggles in his 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” offering a raw and honest look at the challenges he faced behind the scenes.
Perry died in October 2023 at age 54 after drowning in a jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home following a ketamine overdose. Now, even after his passing, the actor’s legacy continues through the Matthew Perry Foundation, with proceeds from the auction helping support those facing addiction, a cause that remained deeply personal to him.