When Matthew Perry tragically passed away in October 2023 at the age of 54, fans worldwide mourned the loss of the beloved Friends star. Beyond his iconic role as Chandler Bing, Perry left behind a complex financial legacy, one that revealed both immense wealth and careful estate planning. At the time of his death, his net worth was estimated at a staggering $120 million, though his personal bank account held just $1.5 million. The reason? Nearly all of his fortune was tucked away in a meticulously structured trust, ensuring his wealth would be distributed privately and efficiently among his loved ones.
Perry’s financial journey was shaped largely by Friends, the sitcom that made him a household name. At the peak of the show’s success, he was earning $1 million per episode, amassing roughly $90 million in salary alone during its 10-season run. But the real goldmine came later: syndication royalties. Thanks to a savvy negotiation in 2000, Perry and his co-stars secured backend points, meaning they continued earning massive residuals long after the show ended. Reports suggest these royalties brought in $10–20 million annually, even in 2025.
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The Alvy Singer Trust: Where the Money Went
Perry’s fortune didn’t just sit in a bank account; it was carefully managed through the Alvy Singer Living Trust, named after Woody Allen’s character in Annie Hall. Established in 2009, this trust shielded the bulk of his assets from public probate and ensured his wealth went to the people he cared about most. The primary beneficiaries included his parents, John Perry and Suzanne Morrison, his half-sister Caitlin Morrison, and his ex-girlfriend Rachel Dunn, whom he dated from 2003 to 2005.
The trust’s structure was a masterclass in estate planning. By moving his assets into it early, Perry avoided the lengthy and public probate process. However, a few oversights meant that $1.5 million in personal accounts and some real estate holdings had to go through probate, making headlines in mid-2024. His Pacific Palisades home, where he was found unresponsive, was still under the trust’s ownership at the time of his death, though it hadn’t been sold as of August 2025.
Estate taxes took a significant bite out of Perry’s fortune—around $43 million—leaving his heirs with an estimated $70–75 million to split. If divided evenly, each beneficiary would receive roughly $17–18 million, plus a share of ongoing Friends residuals. Notably, Perry’s will explicitly excluded any children he might have had after 2009, though he never had any.
The Matthew Perry Foundation: A Lasting Legacy
Beyond his family and friends, Perry’s wealth continues to make an impact through the Matthew Perry Foundation, a donor-advised fund (DAF) established shortly after his death. The foundation focuses on helping individuals struggling with addiction, a cause close to Perry’s heart. In his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, he openly discussed his decades-long battle with substance abuse and expressed a desire to be remembered more for his advocacy than his acting.
The foundation operates by distributing grants to addiction treatment programs, leveraging Perry’s wealth to support those in need. Structuring it as a DAF also provided potential tax benefits, reducing the estate’s taxable burden while ensuring his philanthropic mission lived on. As of August 2025, the foundation remains active, though details of its recent grants are kept private, in line with the discreet nature of Perry’s estate planning.
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Perry’s financial story is one of smart decisions, missed details, and a lasting desire to give back. From Friends royalties to trusts and charitable foundations, his estate reflects both the highs and lows of a life lived in the spotlight—and the careful planning that ensured his legacy would endure long after his passing.
