Matt LeBlanc Breaks Our Hearts With His Tribute To Friends Co-Star Matthew Perry

Matt LeBlanc has broken his silence on the tragic death of Matthew Perry, his "Friends" co-star.

On October 28, 2023, Perry tragically passed away at 54 after an apparent drowning in his home, per TMZ. Perry, who famously played Chandler Bing on "Friends," touched the lives of many and became a beloved television actor along with his five other co-stars. Because of the pivotal role "Friends" played in his life and the lives of others, many were waiting to see what his co-stars would say about his tragic passing. Initially, they all kept relatively silent about Perry's sudden death, but LeBlanc has since shared a touching tribute to Perry.

LeBlanc played Joey Tribbiani on "Friends," Perry's on-screen BFF, and it's clear that friendship was just as true off-screen. In a heartbreaking Instagram post, LeBlanc shared several photos of him and Perry during their time on the sitcom. He wrote, "Matthew, It is with a heavy heart I say goodbye. The times we had together are honestly among the favorite times of my life. It was an honor 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." As LeBlanc and Perry were both comedic actors, he finished his tribute with a light-hearted joke, writing, "And I guess you're keeping the 20 bucks you owe me." 

Matt LeBlanc is the first of the "Friends" cast to truly speak out on Matthew Perry's death. Following his passing — Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, and LeBlanc — waited days before they addressed their castmate's death. In a joint statement, they shared, "We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family. There is so much to say, but right now we're going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss." The mourning cast promised to speak on Perry's death in the future. In the meantime, the cast has been paying their respects more privately.

Nearly a week after his passing, Perry was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, per The Daily Mail. All five of his "Friends" co-stars attended the intimate service. Fellow "Friends" co-star, Hank Azaria, who played David the scientist on the show, was also at the funeral and revealed details on the sad day. He said, "I was at the funeral last weekend. You know, sad. He was a hilarious man, so we would sort of [be] alternately laughing and crying remembering him." 

As those fond memories with Perry remain with those he worked with, it's clear the late actor meant the world to his "Friends" co-stars. LeBlanc in particular cherished his relationship with his onscreen bestie decades after "Friends."

There were some great friendships on "Friends," from Monica and Rachel to Phoebe and Joey, but none came close to the friendship that Joey and Chandler had, at least not to many viewers. The two were like brothers on the show, and their friendship brought joy to so many "Friends" fanatics, and many would be happy to know that the friendship wasn't just for the cameras. Matt Leblanc and Matthew Perry were just as close in real life as they were on-screen, even after "Friends" wrapped in 2004.

In an interview with People in 2015, LeBlanc revealed he felt like Perry was his "little brother." Although they might not have seen one another every day, there was no denying the special bond that they had. In 2016, while on a press tour, LeBlanc told People (via Hello Magazine) how he constantly stayed in touch with Perry. He shared at the time, "I saw him yesterday. I love that guy! I can not see him for five years and then get in a room together and still have that shorthand with each other." The pair had a friendship like no other, and the LeBlanc is surely keeping those memories of him and Perry close as he mourns the loss of his "Friends" co-star.