Matt LeBlanc Breaks Silence on Death of Matthew Perry: ‘It Was an Honor to Call You My Friend’
Matt LeBlanc is paying tribute to his late Friends costar Matthew Perry, following the actor’s surprising death last month.
“Matthew, it is with a heavy heart I say goodbye,” LeBlanc wrote on Instagram Tuesday. “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,” he continued. “Much love. And I guess you’re keeping the 20 bucks you owe me.”
Courteney Cox also paid tribute to Perry on Tuesday, which you can see here.
Perry died Oct. 28 after his assistant found the actor unresponsive in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home. Initial speculation that he had drowned has not been confirmed, although TMZ reports that there were no drugs found at the scene and foul play is not suspected.
Two days later, Jennifer Aniston, Cox, Lisa Kudrow, LeBlanc and David Schwimmer reacted to Perry’s death with a joint statement. “We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew,” the quintet’s statement began. “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.
“In time we will say more, as and when we are able,” the statement continued. “For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”
Friends co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane, and fellow EP Kevin Bright, also penned a tribute. “We are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by our beloved friend Matthew’s passing,” the trio wrote on Oct. 29. “It still seems impossible. All we can say is that we feel blessed to have had him as part of our lives.”
Matthew Perry’s Biggest TV Roles
Perry’s role as Chandler on Friends, which ran from 1994 to 2004, made him and his costars household names. He was nominated for an Emmy in 2002 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. He was nominated four other times, including twice for his guest work on The West Wing.
Additional TV credits included NBC’s Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, CBS’ Odd Couple reboot and the short-lived sitcoms Mr. Sunshine (on ABC) and Go On (on NBC).
