NBC
Now that it’s been a few weeks since his passing, former Friends star Matthew LeBlanc appears ready to speak about the late Matthew Perry.
Taking to Instagram, the 56-year-old actor, who starred as Joey Tribbiani alongside Perry’s Chandler Bing on the hit NBC sitcom Friends, shared a touching tribute to Perry, who passed away at the age of 54-years-old on October 28.
“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. 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,” LeBlanc said.
LeBlanc’s tribute included photos of him and Perry from their days on Friends, which the pair starred in together from 1994 to 2004. LeBlanc and Perry’s characters were particularly close as there was a time in the series when they were roommates.
While a full toxicology report is still being conducted, the coroner’s office has been able to determine that there were no signs of fentanyl or meth in Perry’s system at the time of his death. Perry was found unresponsive in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home on Saturday, October 28. At this time, Perry’s cause of death remains unclear.
Perry’s family released the following statement following Matthew’s death:
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother. Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend. You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.”
In addition to Friends, Perry was also known for his work in projects such as Fools Rush In, The Whole Nine Yards, The Whole Ten Yards, 17 Again, Ally McBeal, The West Wing, and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. In late 2022, he also released a memoir titled Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir.