03 November 2023 , 07:50
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Friends star Matt LeBlanc looked heartbroken as he was spotted for the first time less than a week since the death of his longtime friend and co-star Matthew Perry.
The 56-year-old actor was seen driving his Mercedes-Benz SUV on Thursday afternoon in Sherman Oaks, California breaking cover for the first time since his good friend passed away last Saturday. In the snaps, the actor seemed to be keeping a low profile as he was seen driving in a baseball hat and dark shades.
The actor's close pal Matthew was found dead in his Los Angeles home over the weekend after reportedly drowning in his hot tub following an emergency call regarding cardiac arrest. It was reported that there were no drugs were discovered at the scene and there was no indication of foul play. It was later revealed that initial toxicology tests did not show any fentanyl or meth in the actor's system at the time of his death at the age of 54.
READ MORE:Friends director James Burrows says cast were 'destroyed' by Matthew Perry's death
Matt LeBlanc has been spotted following the death of his former co-star Matthew Perry (Splash News / SplashNews.com)Following the devastating news Matt, along with his other fellow Friends co-stars, shared a heartfelt statement after discovering their long-term friend had passed away. The group including Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer shared a joint statement with People that read: "We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family."
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He was seen out driving recently, following the news of his pal's death (Splash News / SplashNews.com)They continued in the recent statement: "There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss. 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.”
Matt starred on sitcom Friends with Matthew (Splash News / SplashNews.com)In the hit sitcom, Matt played the role of Joey, who was the best friend and roommate of Matthew's character Chandler. Throughout the 10-season-long show viewers watched as the pair grew closer throughout their hilarious adventures together. And that same close bond was still as strong off-screen years after the final episode aired.
When the group all came together for the 2021 reunion Matthew said that they all still held an undeniable bond together every time they crossed paths. He said: "The best way that I can describe it is after the show was over, at a party or any kind of social gathering, if one of us bumped into each other, that was it. That was the end of the night."
Matt and Matthew shared a close friendship on and off screen (Getty Images)He continued at the time of the reunion: "You just sat with the person all night long and that was it. You apologized to the people you were with, but they had to understand you had met somebody special to you and you were going to talk to that person for the rest of the night. And that’s the way it worked."
Matt played Joey on the show (Splash News / SplashNews.com)The main cast aren't the only former colleagues to have paid tribute to Matthew following the news of his death. Various former colleagues have reacted in recent days, with them having reflected over their experiences with the late actor.
Among those who paid tribute over the weekend was his former co-star Maggie Wheeler, 62 - best known for having played Janice Hosenstein on Friends. Janice was a love-interest of his character Chandler on the award-winning show.
He was co-stars with Matthew for around a decade (Splash News / SplashNews.com)Alongside a photo, Maggie wrote in a recent post: "What a loss.The world will miss you Mathew Perry. The joy you brought to so many in your too short lifetime will live on." She added: "I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared."
Marta Kauffman and David Crane - who are the creators of Friends - also paid tribute in a joint statement with fellow executive producer Kevin Bright recently. The trio described Matthew as a "beloved friend" and said he had a "selfless heart".
He was spotted out in a vehicle earlier this week (Splash News / SplashNews.com)They also shared: "We will always cherish the joy, the light, the blinding intelligence he brought to every moment – not just to his work, but in life as well." Marta, David and Kevin added in their statement that they "feel blessed" to have known Matthew, who they described as a "brilliant talent".