Matt LeBlanc is remembering his on-screen roommate and best friend of a decade, Matthew Perry, who died unexpectedly.
On Friends, the actors played best friends Joey Tribbiani and Chandler Bing. Following Perry’s passing last month, LeBlanc, 56, paid homage to her on Instagram with photographs of the couple on the set of the NBC sitcom.
“Matthew. It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye. The times we had together are honestly among the favorite times of my life,” he wrote. “It was an honor to share the stage with you and to call you my friend.”
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“When I think of you, I always smile, and I’ll never forget you.” “Never,” he added. “Brother, spread your wings and fly; you’re finally free.” Much affection.”
LeBlanc joked at the end of the piece, “And I guess you’re keeping the 20 bucks you owe me.”
When the ensemble met in 2021 to shoot the HBO Max’s Friends: The Reunion special—and to speak with people for an exclusive glimpse at the reunion—they were their usual hilarious selves.
LeBlanc told people that they’d like to see their characters in 2021, nearly two decades after the iconic comedy ended. Joey “would have opened a chain of sandwich shops,” Perry said, adding that his on-screen bestie would have “eaten all the sandwiches.”
LeBlanc then added to his response that it would be a “dinosaur-themed sandwich shop,” riffing on his co-star’s joke. “Bronto-burger.”
Concerning the fate of his own character, Perry stated that Chandler “would be a wonderful father” and “a wonderful comedy writer.”
Later, when Perry described the cast’s chemistry as “magic,” LeBlanc deadpanned, “I would say awkwardly.”
“It’s awkwardly magic,” Perry adds.
During their chat with people, LeBlanc also discussed how it felt to be back in the same room with everyone.
“It’s funny; when we do get together, it’s like no time has passed,” he told me. “We pick up right where we left off.”
He went on to say of his feelings for Perry and the rest of the group—Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Courteney Cox, and David Schwimmer—”I think everybody sort of has a relationship like that in their life.” You know when you have a discussion with that individual, it’s genuine, honest, and open. You are aware that there is no ulterior intent. They are important partnerships.”
In 2016, LeBlanc expressed his support for his TV BFF by attending a performance of Perry’s playwright debut, The End of Longing, which opened in London’s West End in 2016.
He shared a post-show selfie with Perry, praising his former co-star’s performance. “He and the cast were fantastic. “Way to go, bro,” LeBlanc said in the caption.
On Oct. 28, days after Perry’s untimely death at his Los Angeles home, LeBlanc and his castmates sent a statement to People, breaking their silence on the loss of their great buddy.
“We are all completely crushed by Matthew’s death. We were more than simply coworkers.” We are a family,” stated the joint statement. “There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.”
“We will say more as we are able in the future.” For the time being, our thoughts and prayers are with Matty’s family, friends, and everyone who loved him all across the world,” they added.
One week after Perry’s death, LeBlanc, Aniston, Cox, Kudrow, and Schwimmer attended his burial in Los Angeles.