Matt LeBlanc says goodbye to Matthew Perry: ‘You’re finally free’

Article content

Matt LeBlanc is paying tribute to his late Friends co-star, Matthew Perry, saying he’s “finally free” after battling years of addiction.

Article content

“Matthew. It is with a heavy heart I say goodbye. The times we had together are honestly among the favourite times of my life,” LeBlanc wrote in an Instagram post that included a carousel of images that showed them on the set of Friends throughout its 10-year run. “It was an honour 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.”

Article content

Article content

LeBlanc concluded his post with a joke: “And I guess you’re keeping the 20 bucks you owe me.”

In 2021, when the stars reunited for a special to celebrate Friends, LeBlanc spoke about the bond the castmates felt with one another.

“It’s funny, when we do get together, it’s like no time has passed,” he told PEOPLE. “We pick up right where we left off.”

He also spoke about the unbreakable connection he felt to Perry and the rest of the cast — which included Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Courteney Cox and David Schwimmer. “I think everybody sort of has a relationship like that in their life. You know that when you have a conversation with that person, it’s really heartfelt, it’s honest, it’s open. You know that there’s no ulterior motive. They’re significant relationships.’”

Article content

Article content

LeBlanc’s Friends character, Joey, and Perry’s Chandler were best friends on the popular sitcom and were even roommates for a time. During their conversation with PEOPLE he reflected on what might have happened to their characters 17 years after Friends ended.

LeBlanc told PEOPLE Joey likely “would have opened a chain of sandwich shops,” which prompted Perry to add that his old pal Chandler would have subsequently “eaten all the sandwiches.”

Article content

Over the years, the two stayed in touch. LeBlanc praised Perry’s debut as a playwright in 2016 with The End of Longing.

“Went to see The End (of) Longing last night and ran into this dude. He and the cast were great. Way to go bro,” he wrote.

Perry, 54, was found dead on Oct. 28 at his home, just a few hours after finishing a two-hour game of pickleball. Sources told TMZ that he was found in a hot tub, and there were no illegal drugs found at the scene. But authorities did find a myriad of prescription medications, including drugs used to treat depression, anxiety and lung disease.

In a statement to PEOPLE, Perry’s family said they were “heartbroken” by his death.

“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,” his family said.

Article content

Meanwhile, Perry’s Friends castmates released a statement saying they were “utterly devastated” following the news of his passing.

“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just castmates. 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 read. “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.”

Perry’s other screen partners paid tribute to the Emmy nominee, including Maggie Wheeler, who played Chandler’s on-again, off-again girlfriend on the early seasons of Friends.

Article content

“The joy you brought to so many in your too short lifetime will live on,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared.”

Article content

Paget Brewster, who played a love interest to Chandler, said in an X post, “He was lovely to me on Friends and every time I saw him in the decades after.”

Article content

“It’s taken me a couple of days to process this profound sadness. There is a special bond that happens when you share dreams with someone, and together you work towards them,” Perry’s Fools Rush In co-star Salma Hayek penned in an Instagram post. “Throughout the years, he and I found ourselves reminiscing about that meaningful time in our lives with a deep sense of nostalgia and gratitude. My friend, you are gone much too soon, but I will continue to cherish your silliness, your perseverance, and your lovely heart.”

Hank Azaria credited Perry with helping him get clean and sober. “As an actor, he was so brilliant. I just wish we could have gotten what the rest of his career would’ve been,” he said in a video posted to his Instagram.

Article content

John Stamos also remembered a moment of kindness from Perry when his Season 9 cameo on Friends didn’t garner much of a reaction from the live studio audience.

“I walk through the door… silence. I was so embarrassed,” Stamos wrote in an %7B%22provider_name%22:%22Instagram%22,%22provider_url%22:%22https:%5C/%5C/www.instagram.com%5C/%22,%22object_url%22:%22https:%5C/%5C/www.instagram.com%5C/p%5C/CzDcn7Cu2xS%5C/%22,%22html%22:%22