Matt LeBlanc Says Goodbye to Matthew Perry: ‘The Times We Had Together Are Honestly Among

Matt LeBlanc honored his late “Friends” co-star Matthew Perry with a new tribute posted to Instagram in which LeBlanc called his time with Perry “among the favorite times of my life.” Perry died unexpectedly on Oct. 28 at 54 years old. LeBlanc issued a joint statement on Perry’s death shortly after with “Friends” cast members Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow and David Schwimmer. In a new standalone post, LeBlanc said a personal goodbye. 

“Matthew. It is with a heavy heart I say goodbye. The times we had together are honestly among the favorite times of my life,” LeBlanc wrote while sharing “Friends” set photos of him and Perry through the years. “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’s “Friends” character, Joey, and Perry’s Chandler were best friends on the show and even roommates for a stretch. The two actors shared many scenes together across the sitcom’s run. The cause of Perry’s death has yet to be revealed. He was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home, according to law enforcement. There were no signs of foul play or drugs on the scene.

“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 “Friends” cast’s join statement reads. “In time we will say more, as and when we are able. For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”

Many of Perry’s “Friends” scene partners also paid tribute to him following his death. Maggie Wheeler, who played Chandler’s on-again, off-again girlfriend Janice on the first four seasons of “Friends,” took to Instagram to write, “What a loss. The world will miss you Mathew Perry. The joy you brought to so many in your too short lifetime will live on. I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared.”

Paget Brewster, whose “Friends” character Kathy dated Chandler in Season 4, took to X/Twitter to write, “I’m so very sad to hear about Matthew Perry. He was lovely to me on ‘Friends’ and every time I saw him in the decades after. Please read his book. It was his legacy to help. He won’t rest in peace though…He’s already too busy making everyone laugh up there.”

In the aftermath of his death, the Matthew Perry Foundation has been announced and is now accepting donations to help individuals dealing with addiction.