For many of us he will always be loveable Joey Tribbiani.
Dim-witted, promiscuous, yet fiercely loyal to those closest to him, the fictional character prompted plenty of belly laughs in Friends, arguably one of the greatest American sitcoms of all time.
But over recent weeks there have been very real concerns for the general wellbeing of Matt LeBlanc, the man responsible for bringing Joey to life.
LeBlanc, 57, has became increasingly reclusive following the sudden death of former Friends co-star Matthew Perry, who drowned in the hot-tub of his rented mansion after an overdose of medical anesthetic ketamine on October 28, 2023, aged just 54.
His Instagram platform also hints at a man struggling to process his grief after suffering more than one devastating loss over the last two years.
Matt Le Blanc has suffered multiple losses over a two year period, among them former Friends co-star Matthew Perry (left) and Top Gear regular Sabine Schmitz (right)
Over recent weeks there have been very real concerns for the actor’s general wellbeing, with friends worrying that he may be ‘unravelling’
LeBlanc has also mourned the death of Friends cast-member James Michael Tyler (left) and Top Gear stunt-driver Ken Block (right)
Indeed, his last four posts on the social media platform – found between ads for limited edition Friends merchandise – have been dedicated to recently deceased colleagues, among them James Michael Tyler – another Friends star, best known for playing Central Perk employee Gunther.
LeBlanc’s last public appearance came in Los Angeles on Tuesday, where he was seen smoking a cigarette the day after the first anniversary of Perry’s death, and those closest to the actor – notably his surviving co-stars – believe he could be unravelling.
‘He’s such a recluse these days and they barely hear from him from one month to the next,’ an insider told In Touch Weekly.
Separate sources previously claimed Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox had expressed their concerns for LeBlanc.
It is thought that Aniston has in particular has made an effort to spend time with her former co-star at his Los Angeles home.
‘She’s even stayed over a couple of times,’ the source told In Touch. ‘And both she and Courteney have been in contact to ensure at least one of them is around to keep an eye on him.’
Here, Mailonline looks back at LeBlanc’s two years of grief.
Top Gear star Sabine Schmitz dies of ‘extremely persistent cancer’ – March 16, 2021
LeBlanc had left his role on BBC show Top Gear some two years before German motor racing driver Sabine Schmitz died in March 2021 after battling ‘an extremely persistent cancer’
L-R: Rory Reid, Chris Evans, Matt LeBlanc, Sabine Schmitz and Chris Harris on Top Gear
LeBlanc had left his role on BBC show Top Gear some two years before German motor racing driver Sabine Schmitz died in March 2021 after battling ‘an extremely persistent cancer.’
Schmitz had been a beloved member of the Top Gear family and presenting team since 2016, having first appeared on the show in 2004 when she won British hearts by breaking the ten-minute barrier around the Nurburgring Nordschleife in a diesel Jaguar S-Type – before attempting the same in a Ford Transit in the following series.
Her final Top Gear appearance came during its 28th season, and despite her illness, she still flew to London to attend the series’ Leicester Square premiere in January 2020.
LeBlanc, a close friend who featured on numerous segments with Schmitz. later admitted he was devastated by her death.
Sharing a photo of himself with his former colleague on social media, he wrote: ‘Taken far too soon. She shined so bright and I will always remember her smile. RIP my friend.’
Top Gear subsequently aired a 30-minute special in honour of Schmitz, featuring appearances from LeBlanc, Freddie Flintoff, Chris Harris and Paddy McGuinnes in addition to former presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May and Rory Reid.
Former Friends actor James Michael Tyler loses his battle with prostate cancer – October 24, 2021
The actor was among the first people to pay tribute to Friends star James Michael Tyler following his death, aged 59, on October 24, 2021
Tyler was initially diagnosed with cancer in 2018, but didn’t publicly reveal his battle until shortly before his death
Tyler was known to millions for his portrayal of Gunther – the coffee-shop employee with an unrequited love for Jennifer Aniston’s Rachel Green
The actor was among the first people to pay tribute to Friends star James Michael Tyler following his death, aged 59, on October 24, 2021.
Tyler, known to millions for his portrayal of Gunther – the coffee-shop employee with an unrequited love for Jennifer Aniston’s Rachel Green – died of prostate cancer at his Los Angeles home, three years after being diagnosed with the disease.
LeBlanc, an infrequent Instagram user, shared a personal tribute to his former co-star on social media the following day.
Sharing stills from their time together on Friends, he wrote: ‘We had a lot of laughs buddy. You will be missed. RIP my friend.’
Tyler was initially diagnosed with cancer in 2018, but didn’t publicly reveal his battle until shortly before his death.
He appeared on 150 episodes of the hit show during its run from 1994 up until 2004. He had also appeared on shows including Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Modern Music, Episodes, Just Shoot Me! and Scrubs.
Despite his illness, Tyler appeared on the Friends reunion special on HBO Max in May, 2021 – five months before his death – via Zoom.
LeBlanc’s co-stars also paid tribute to Tyler in a series of individual posts after his death was confirmed.
Top Gear stunt-driver Ken Block is killed in a snowmobile accident – January 2, 2023
There was more Top Gear heartbreak for LeBlanc after American stunt-driver Ken Block was killed in a freak snowmobile accident in January 2023
Block with Le Blanc 2016 as they drove around London in an episode of Top Gear, during which they gatecrashed a fake wedding
But the stunt-packed sequence generated uproar after they were filmed doing donuts around the Cenotaph – a First World War memorial in Whitehall
There was more Top Gear heartbreak for LeBlanc after American stunt-driver Ken Block was killed in a freak snowmobile accident in January 2023.
Block, who featured alongside LeBlanc on an episode of the show in 2016, was driving up a steep slope at his ranch in Utah when his snowmobile flipped and fell on top of him, causing fatal injuries.
The 55-year old father of three was introduced to a mainstream British television audience in 2009 when he appeared on Top Gear with James May.
LeBlanc had featured in a memorable Top Gear segment with Block, during which they gatecrashed a fake wedding at St. Paul’s Cathedral in a souped-up Ford Mustang.
But the stunt-packed sequence generated uproar after they were filmed doing donuts around the Cenotaph – a First World War memorial in Whitehall.
In a moving Instagram tribute, the actor later admitted Block, a veteran stunt-driver, was taken too soon.’
Sharing a photo from their time on set, he wrote: ‘So saddened by the loss of Ken Block. A true talent and friend taken far too soon.
‘You will be missed by all who had the pleasure of meeting you my friend. My condolences to your family.’
Matthew Perry drowns in his hot-tub – October 28, 2023
Nine months later the actor was dealt the biggest blow of all after close friend Matthew Perry was found dead in his hot-tub
Following Perry’s death, LeBlanc issued a statement in a social media post on November 14, 2023 that included multiple pictures of them together.
Photos shard by LeBlanc included a group shot of himself and Perry with co-stars Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston
Nine months later the actor was dealt the biggest blow of all after close friend Matthew Perry was found dead in his hot-tub.
Alongside Courtenay Cox, Jennifer Aniston and Lisa Kudrow, the two actors became household names thanks to their roles in Friends, with Perry playing Joey’s quick-witted flat-mate Chandler Bing.
Perry’s lifeless body was found in the hot-tub of a rented property in upscale Pacific Palisades on October 28, 2023.
Toxicology reports later confirmed the actor, who struggled openly with substance abuse and alcohol issues in the years before his death, had used ketamine before drowning.
Following his death, LeBlanc issued a statement in a social media post on November 14, 2023 that included multiple pictures of them together.
He 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.’
He added: ‘Spread your wings and fly brother you’re finally free. Much love. And I guess you’re keeping the 20 bucks you owe me.’
‘Matthew… it is with a heavy heart I say goodbye. The times we had together are honestly among the favorite times of my life.’ he wrote
The pair’s bromance during the long-running show won them fans all over the world
The cast of Friends, left to right: Matt Leblanc, Matthew Perry, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer and Lisa Kudrow
