Matthew Perry death: “You’re finally free,” ‘FRIENDS’ Joey, Monica grieve late actor on Instagram

Following Matthew Perry’s death, more affectionately remembered as Chandler from the sitcom ‘Friends’, his co-stars Matt LeBlanc and Courtney Cox took to Instagram to share heartfelt messages for their friend and colleague, giving us a peek into the moments they had shared with him.

LeBlanc, who played Joey Tribbiani on the sitcom, posted a series of throwback photos on Instagram, calling their time together “among the  favourite times of my life.” He acknowledged the honour of working with Perry and bid farewell with a nod to his struggles, saying, “Spread your wings and fly brother; you’re finally free.”

 

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A post shared by Matt LeBlanc (@mleblanc)

“It is with a heavy heart I say goodbye,” LeBlanc wrote on Instagram, with a series of pictures from their “Friends” days.

“It was an honour 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,” he added.

Injecting a bit of humour, LeBlanc shared a final quip about Perry skipping out on a $20 debt. He wrote, “And I guess you’re keeping the 20 bucks you owe me.”

Cox, in her Instagram tribute, shared a video of a lighthearted moment during a scene on set, recalling Perry’s wit and kindness.

 

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A post shared by Courteney Cox (@courteneycoxofficial)

She shared a video of her and Perry filming a scene that left the two in laughter, calling it “one of my favorites.”

“To give a little backstory, Chandler and Monica were supposed to have a one-night fling in London. But because of the audience’s reaction, it became the beginning of their love story,” she wrote. “In this scene, before we started rolling, he whispered a funny line for me to say.

She thanked Perry for the moments, stating, “He often did things like that. He was funny and he was kind.”

Warner Bros., the production company behind “Friends,” expressed their grief, calling Perry an “incredibly gifted actor” and a vital part of their family. “We are devastated by the passing of our dear friend Matthew Perry,” it reads. “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. This is a heartbreaking day, and we send our love to his family, his loved ones, and all of his devoted fans,” the statement read.

The cast had previously shared a collective statement expressing their sorrow at the backbone of the television show’s comedy’s death, stating, “We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family,” said the sitcom’s lead cast in a statement shared with ABC News on Monday. “There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.”

The statement continues: “In time we will say more, as and when we are able. For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”