More than two weeks after the untimely death of beloved Friends actor Matthew Perry, his co-star and friend Matt LeBlanc has expressed his deep sorrow in a poignant Instagram post. LeBlanc, who played Joey Tribbiani alongside Perry’s Chandler Bing in the iconic sitcom, shared memories and bid a touching farewell to his dear friend.
Here’s LeBlanc’s Tribute
On his Instagram page, LeBlanc, 56, posted a heartfelt message alongside a collection of pictures capturing moments with Perry on the set of Friends. The post reads: “Matthew. It is with a heavy heart I say goodbye. The times we had together are honestly among the favourite times of my life. It was an honour to share the stage with you and to call you my friend.”
He continued, “I will always smile when I think of you and I’ll never forget you. Never. Spread your wings and fly brother, you’re finally free. Much love. And I guess you’re keeping the 20 bucks you owe me.”
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Friends Cast’s Grief
LeBlanc, along with Friends cast members David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, and Jennifer Aniston, had gathered for Perry’s funeral service at the Forest Lawn cemetery on November 3. In a joint statement to People magazine, the co-stars expressed being “utterly devastated” and emphasized their bond as more than just colleagues, stating, “We are a family.”
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Other Tributes
Minor cast members also shared their condolences. Maggie Wheeler, who played Janice Hosenstein, Chandler’s on-and-off girlfriend, expressed feeling “blessed” to have shared creative moments with Perry. Hank Azaria, who played David, a love interest of Phoebe, credited Perry with helping him get sober in a video posted to his social media.
Legacy and Foundation
Perry’s memoir, released in 2022, candidly discussed his struggles with addiction. The Matthew Perry Foundation was established in his memory, committed to continuing his dedication to assisting those battling addiction.
Details of Perry’s Passing
Matthew Perry’s death investigation began on October 28, with the Los Angeles police responding to a call for a male in his 50s. Capt Erik Scott of the Los Angeles fire department confirmed finding Perry “unconscious in a stand-alone Jacuzzi.”
