For the first time in almost a year, “Friends” star Matt LeBlanc was seen in public, marking his first appearance since the arrests linked to his co-star and close friend Matthew Perry’s death. LeBlanc, now 57, was photographed in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley on Friday, casually dressed in jeans, a black tee, sneakers, and a baseball cap, as he visited a car showroom. TMZ published the photos, showing the Emmy-nominated actor taking a low-key outing.
This sighting is the first since December 2023, when LeBlanc was last seen dining with friends at the Malibu hotspot, Nobu. The actor has largely kept out of the public eye following the tragic passing of his “Friends” co-star Perry, who portrayed Chandler Bing alongside LeBlanc’s Joey Tribbiani on the hit NBC series. The two shared a close bond off-screen as well, told The Daily-News.
LeBlanc and his “Friends” co-stars—Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, and David Schwimmer—were “utterly devastated” after Perry was found dead in his Los Angeles home on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54. In a joint statement, they expressed their grief, saying, “We were more than just cast mates. We are a family.” All five actors attended Perry’s funeral, bidding farewell to their beloved friend.
Perry, who had been open about his long battle with substance abuse, tragically died from the acute effects of ketamine, which was listed alongside drowning and coronary artery disease as contributing factors. At the time, Perry was undergoing ketamine infusion therapy for anxiety and depression, though it was initially believed he had remained sober.
In May 2024, authorities revealed that Perry’s death was under investigation, as the dosage of ketamine that caused his death appeared to be suspicious. By August, Perry’s live-in assistant Kenneth Iwamasa and two doctors, Mark Chavez and Salvador “Dr. P” Plasencia, were arrested in connection with the case.
Iwamasa and “Surreal Life” director Erik Fleming pleaded guilty to charges related to conspiracy and drug distribution. Meanwhile, Chavez is expected to plead guilty in a similar deal, while Plasencia and alleged drug dealer Jasveen Sangha, known as the “Ketamine Queen,” have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial.
LeBlanc, who had been a constant presence in Perry’s life, has stayed largely out of the spotlight, mourning his friend privately amidst the unfolding legal developments.