JUST days before the second anniversary of Matthew Perry’s tragic death, the Friends star was spotted looking solemn while out with his daughter.
In Los Angeles, the 58-year-old Matt LeBlanc was photographed during a quiet outing with his only child, Marina, 21.
Sign up for the Entertainment and TV newsletter
Thank you!
In Los Angeles, the 58-year-old Matt LeBlanc was photographed during a quiet outing with his only child, Marina, 21Credit: BackGrid
LeBlanc, who has largely retreated from the spotlight in recent years, appeared relaxedCredit: BackGrid
It marked the first time in 10 months that LeBlanc has been seen publiclyCredit: BackGrid
Matthew Perry was found unresponsive in the hot tub of his Los Angeles homeCredit: Alamy
LeBlanc, who has largely retreated from the spotlight in recent years, appeared relaxed yet reclusive as he strolled beside her.
The actor wore a red shirt, jeans, and a baseball cap, his greying hair and beard giving him a distinctly older look.
It marked the first time in 10 months that LeBlanc has been seen publicly.
The low-key appearance comes as fans prepare to mark two years since Perry’s shocking death on October 28, 2023.
RARE SIGHTING
Matt LeBlanc, 57, looks very different from Friends’ Joey Tribbiani in LA
FRIENDS FOREVER
Matt LeBlanc breaks silence on Matthew Perry’s tragic death
Perry was found unresponsive in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled his death accidental, citing the acute effects of ketamine, with drowning and heart disease listed as contributing factors.
The loss deeply shook the Friends cast, who have remained close since the show ended two decades ago.
According to Woman’s Day, no one was more affected than LeBlanc.
“The entire Friends cast was totally rattled by Matthew Perry’s passing,” a source told Woman’s Day. “But the biggest change has been in Matt LeBlanc.”
Those close to him say the actor’s life has taken a dramatic turn since then.
After years of keeping to himself and avoiding Hollywood, LeBlanc is said to have embraced a more grounded and open attitude.
He’s reportedly been focusing on family, friends, and his business ventures, including a car dealership he now runs full-time.
“Perry’s death hit LeBlanc like a bucket of cold water,” the insider revealed last year.
“For all his tough-guy swagger, that tragedy brought out LeBlanc’s softer side.”
Five charged in Matthew Perry’s death
On August 15, prosecutors announced a slew of charges stemming from the tragic overdose death of Friends star Matthew Perry.
Here are the five individuals allegedly behind Perry’s ketamine crisis.
“Ketamine Queen of Los Angeles” Jasveen Sangha – Sangha is a 41-year-old drug dealer who allegedly helped sell the ketamine that killed Perry, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office. In 2019, Sangha sold ketamine to another victim hours before he died, prosecutors say. After hearing of his death, she allegedly searched “can ketamine be listed as a cause of death,” on Google. She faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted of all charges.
“Dr. P” Dr. Salvador Plasencia – Plasencia, 42, allegedly learned that Perry was seeking ketamine, and obtained doses from a dirty doctor. Speaking to the doctor over text, he allegedly said, “I wonder how much this moron will pay.” Plasencia taught unlicensed people associated with Perry how to inject ketamine, and even personally injected it at times, prosecutors say. Perry’s assistant, who was taught by Plasencia, administered the fatal dose on October 28, 2023. Plasencia is facing nine charges stemming from the death.
Kenneth Iwamasa – Iwamasa, 59, was Perry’s live-in assistant who was allegedly taught how to inject ketamine by Dr. Plasencia, according to prosecutors. He also corresponded with dealers to organize the sale and delivery of the drug. He admitted to injecting Perry multiple times on the day of his death in a guilty plea.
Eric Fleming – Fleming, 54, is a dealer who helped to coordinate drug sales to Sangha before they ultimately made it to Perry. He corresponded with Iwamasa when ketamine was on its way to their home. Fleming admitted to distributing 50 vials of ketamine to Iwamasa, half of them four days before Perry’s death.
Dr. Mark Chavez – Chavez admitted to selling ketamine to Dr. Plasencia by writing fraudulent prescriptions. He also coordinated with Iwamasa to get the drugs to Perry. Between September and October 2023, Plasencia, Chavez, and Iwamasa allegedly distributed approximately 20 vials of ketamine to Perry for $55,000 in cash.
While LeBlanc has chosen to stay out of Hollywood, his quiet transformation hasn’t gone unnoticed by those around him.
Earlier this year, in February, The U.S. Sun reported that Perry’s Friends co-stars – including Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, and LeBlanc- declined to appear in a Peacock documentary exploring the events surrounding his death.
Director Robert Plaumbo told the New York Post the cast was “understandably reluctant” to participate due to the emotional weight of the loss.
“Maybe many years down the line… We understand their decision not to appear,” he said.
The documentary, Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy, includes interviews with others who knew him, including actress Morgan Fairchild, who played Chandler’s mother on Friends.
SALTY GOODBYE
Popular fast food chain off-loads rival in $115 million deal
STILL IN LOVE?
Love Is Blind couples’ relationship statuses revealed ahead of finale
Palumbo added that Perry wanted to be remembered not just for his comedy but for his efforts to help others battling addiction.
“I think that’s still the case to this day, even after his death,” he said.
Friends stars were left devastated by Matthew Perry’s death last yearCredit: Alamy
The documentary, Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy, includes interviews with others who knew himCredit: Alamy