Who Are Matthew Perry’s Parents? All You Need To Know About John Bennett Perry And Suzanne Morrison

As I delve deeper into the captivating lives of the Perry family, I find myself truly inspired by their resilience and versatility. Matthew Perry, a man who has graced our screens for decades with his impeccable acting skills, seems to have inherited his talent not only from his parents but also from his extended family.


1. Matthew Perry left a significant impact on numerous individuals, including fellow actors, through his inspiring presence and exceptional acting abilities. Regrettably, the talented actor passed away on October 28, 2023, creating a void and stirring curiosity about who were Matthew Perry’s biological parents.

Growing up, I was fortunate to be nurtured by both my father, John Bennett Perry, and my stepmother, Suzanne Morrison, despite their personal choices leading them down separate paths.

During his adolescent years, it was Matthew Perry’s father who provided his upbringing, while afterwards, his mother assumed care following the separation of his parents. Raised in Ottawa, Canada by his mother during childhood, Perry later moved to California as a teenager to reside with his father.

Without further delay let’s learn who the late actor, Matthew Perry’s parents are.

John and Suzanne’s divorce

In 1969, Matthew Perry was born to parents John and Suzanne, but before his first birthday, they decided to separate. Subsequently, his mother moved him from Williamstown, Massachusetts, to Ottawa, where she was originally from.

As a lifestyle connoisseur looking back on my life’s journey, at the tender age of 15, I found myself packing up and embarking on a new chapter in sunny California, moving in with my father. This golden state adventure wasn’t just about dad-time for me; I also shared a roof with my beloved stepmother Debbie and my cherished half-sister Marie during those formative years.

Matthew Perry’s dad, John Bennett Perry is an actor

The pair consisting of a father and son have left lasting impressions across multiple generations. Notably, Matthew captured our admiration with his portrayal of Chandler Bing on Friends, whereas his father garnered attention by appearing as a sailor in Old Spice commercials for an extended period.

Matthew Perry’s dad’s other credits include Little House on the Prairie and Murder, She Wrote. 

Matthew Perry’s mother Suzanne was a press secretary for Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau

During her career, Suzzane Morrison, the mother of Matthew Perry, held the role of a prominent Canadian journalist. Not only did she serve as a television news anchor, but she also worked as a press secretary for Pierre Trudeau, who was Canada’s Prime Minister at that time and happened to be Justin Trudeau’s father.

It might come as a shock to you that Matthew Perry, well-known actor, once went to the same elementary school as Canada’s current Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau.

Matthew Perry’s stepfather was a Dateline correspondent

Following her split with Matthew Perry’s father, John Bennett, Suzanne went on to marry Keith Morrison. It’s worth noting that Morrison, often referred to as the actor’s stepfather, has been employed by Dateline NBC since 1995.

Shedding light on his career, Keith Morrison had stated to PEOPLE that he loves his job a lot.

Matthew Perry’s parents took him to rehab

On a chilly February 23rd, 2001, I found myself in the shoes of a fervent admirer, trembling with anticipation as Matthew Perry made that pivotal phone call. He was reaching out to his parents for aid, from within the confines of a hotel room nestled in the heart of Dallas.

Looking back on that event, Matthew Perry told PEOPLE in 2002 that he felt his life was at risk. It was during a period of self-reflection that he made the decision to focus on his wellbeing instead.

In my own words, I, Matthew Perry, openly shared my struggle with addiction. Following a jet-ski mishap in 1997, I found myself relying on Vicodin. After wrapping up Serving Sara in Dallas, I bid farewell to the set and reunited with my parents in Los Angeles, as they guided me towards rehabilitation.

Recalling the horrifying state, Matthew told to PEOPLE, “It was scary. I didn’t want to die.”

Matthew and John shared on-screen appearances

In their familiarity with screen time, Matthew Perry and his old man, John, have shared acting roles on occasion. They often portrayed a father-son dynamic in various productions, like in the 2004 Scrubs episode where they played that very relationship.

Furthermore, it’s important to note that Matthew Perry’s dad wasn’t the only family member who appeared in the 2004 episode; his brother Tony was also present, as confirmed by The Ron Clark Story actor to News-Times. Additionally, John, Matthew’s father, was seen alongside him in the 1997 film “Fools Rush In,” where he portrayed Richard Whitman, another character played by Matthew’s dad.

You might find it interesting to know that along with collaborating on its production, Matthew and John were involved in staging a play titled “The Whole Banana” at the Court Theatre in West Hollywood, according to Playbill.

Matthew Perry’s siblings from John and Suzanne’s respective marriages

Despite having been together for barely two years when Matthew Perry was born, his parents went on to have additional children from their subsequent relationships following their separation.

In 1981, Suzanne got married to Keith and together they had four kids: Caitlin, Emily, Will, and Madeline. Additionally, Keith also has a son named Michael from his earlier relationship.

In July 1981, John, who is Matthew Perry’s half-brother, tied the knot with Debbie and had a daughter named Mia together.

Suzanne is a former beauty queen

In his 2022 memoir, Matthew Perry disclosed that Suzanne Morrison, who later became Mrs. John Perry, had previously held the title of Miss Canadian University Snow Queen. This honor came to her in 1966, during her time as a student at the University of Toronto.

John and Courteney Cox’s mom’s distant relation 

According to CNN, it has been discovered by genealogists at MyHeritage that Matthew’s father and Courteney Cox’s mother, Courteney Copeland, are descendants from the same pair of ancestors.

In the 17th century, their lineage traced back to William Hasborn Haskell III and his spouse, Ellen Haskell, who resided in England.

Keith shared a “close” relationship with Matthew 

According to Keith from Dateline, Keith never aimed to take John’s place as Matthew’s father. In a conversation with Hoda Kotb on her podcast “Making Space,” Morrison explained, “I was there for him, and he understood it, and we were close.” Furthermore, he mentioned that Matthew was also very close to his mother, Suzanne.

Matthew Perry is known for his roles in numerous highly-praised productions, most notably the beloved and enduring television series “Friends.”

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2024-08-19 15:38