In a heart-wrenching farewell message, actor Matt LeBlanc opened up about the passing of his dear friend and co-star Matthew Perry. Known for his iconic portrayal of the witty Chandler Bing on the beloved TV show Friends, Perry tragically passed away on October 28. Despite his struggles with alcohol and drug abuse over the years, Perry was said to be sober at the time of his sudden and untimely death. Authorities revealed that he was found in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home, with the cause of death suspected to be drowning. No illegal drugs were found at the scene.
During the ten-year production of Friends, Perry and his fellow cast members turned their on-screen friendship and chemistry into a deep bond in their personal lives. The news of Perry’s loss struck the entire “Friends” family as devastating. In a joint statement, they expressed their grief and emphasized that their connection went far beyond acting: “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… For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”
As expected, Perry’s funeral was attended by his fellow cast members. He was laid to rest at Forest Memorial Park in Los Angeles. Recognizing his immense talent and impact, Warner Bros. Television Group stated, “Matthew was an incredibly gifted actor and an indelible part of the Warner Bros. Television Group family. The impact of his comedic genius was felt around the world, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of so many.”
Despite his fame and success in the entertainment industry, Perry wanted to be remembered for more than just his career. He wanted his legacy to revolve around his commitment to helping others battling addiction, just as he did. In his memoir, he wrote, “…the best thing about me, bar none, is if somebody comes up to me and says, ‘I can’t stop drinking, can you help me?’ I can say, ‘Yes.’ And follow up and do it. That’s the best thing. And—I’ve said this for a long time—when I die…I want that to be the first thing that’s mentioned…”
Perry’s struggles with addiction were known to his Friends co-stars. During filming, he faced challenges and thanked them for their understanding and patience. Matt LeBlanc, one of Perry’s closest friends both on and off the set, paid a heartfelt tribute to him just days after his passing. The actor, known for his role as Joey Tribbiani, took to Instagram to share five precious photos of memorable moments with Perry during their time on Friends. The emotional tribute reached out to fans, leaving them overwhelmed with sadness.
In his Instagram post, LeBlanc wrote, “Matthew. It is with a heavy heart I say goodbye. 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. Much love.” In true Joey fashion, he ended his heartfelt message with a joke, “And I guess you’re keeping the 20 bucks you owe me.”
The heartfelt tribute from LeBlanc touched the hearts of fans worldwide. Many expressed their admiration for the genuine and deep friendship between Perry and LeBlanc.
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