Friends Star Matt LeBlanc Says Tearjerking Goodbye To Matthew Perry

Matt LeBlanc has penned an emotional tribute to his late "Friends" co-star Matthew Perry.

"Friends" fans around the world were shocked when it was confirmed in late October that Perry, who famously played the sarcastic Chandler Bing on the Emmy-winning sitcom, had died. Perry was 54 years old. Following his death, his "Friends" co-stars jointly released a statement honoring him. 

Now, LeBlanc, who starred as Bing's goofy roommate Joey Tribbiani, has penned a tear-jerking goodbye to his late friend. "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 in an emotional Instagram post. "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," the actor shared. 

"And I guess you're keeping the 20 bucks you owe me," LeBlanc joked, ending his tribute. In addition to his emotional words, which reflect on their enduring friendship, LeBlanc shared several stills of Joey and Chandler together, highlighting just how hilarious (and adorable) the duo were on "Friends."

When it comes to iconic sitcom roommates, it's hard to imagine a more memorable duo than Chandler Bing and Joey Tribbiani. The true definition of "opposites attract," the lovable goofballs were frequently at odds with one another, though they never shied away from mutual admiration. Their various escapades and side quests led to some of the most memorable plotlines in "Friends," such as the time they adopted a chick and a duck. And who can forget their admirable banter in London during Ross' (David Schwimmer) wedding? 

To this day, the duo's bromance stands out as a major highlight of the show. Unsurprisingly, Matt LeBlanc and Matthew Perry carried their on-screen relationship outside of the show's bustling set. Back in 2015, while speaking with the Television Critics Association Press Tour (via Digital Spy), LeBlanc gushed over his co-star. "I love that guy," the Joey actor said. "I can not see him for five years and then get in a room together and still have a shorthand with each other. It's amazing, really," LeBlanc discussed, adding that ten years of filming "Friends" allowed the two to "know each other pretty well." 

While LeBlanc and Perry were both quite private, they were occasionally seen together. One of the duo's most heartfelt crossovers? When the Joey actor showed up to support Perry for his debut play "The End of Longing" back in 2016. "He and the cast were great," LeBlanc shared in an Instagram post. "Way to go bro," he added. Clearly, the two genuinely cared about each other. TMZ says that LeBlanc, alongside the rest of the leading players from "Friends," attended Perry's private funeral. 

As of this writing, Matt LeBlanc's Instagram post is the first major solo statement released from a "Friends" cast member following the Chandler Bing actor's death. While the core cast of "Friends" was no doubt close (just look at their infectious energy from the 2021 MAX reunion special), Matthew Perry wished that he could see his former coworkers more often. "We don't see each other as much. I wish the group would see each other more times," Perry told Access Hollywood in 2022. Perry has always been candid and honest about his relationship with his co-stars, frequently praising them at every opportunity.

In his 2022 memoir "Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing," Perry opened up about his brutal history with addiction. In an excerpt released by The Sunday Times, Perry discussed how LeBlanc helped him stay awake on set. "But still, the addiction ravaged me — one time, in a scene in the coffeehouse when I'm dressed in a suit, I fell asleep right there on the couch, and disaster was averted only when Matt LeBlanc nudged me awake right before my line; no one noticed, but I knew how close I'd come," Perry wrote. In the same excerpt, Perry revealed how Jennifer Anniston once confronted him regarding his addiction, describing the encounter as "devastating." While they continue to be private about their personal lives, it's obvious that the "Friends" cast deeply care for one another. 

If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).