Matt LeBlanc has paid an emotional tribute to his Friends co-star Matthew Perry saying it was “an honour” to call him a friend and share the stage, adding: “I will always smile when I think of you.”
In an emotional post on social media, LeBlanc also joked that the star died owing him $20 which will never be repaid.
Perry, who rose to fame on hit US sitcom as the witty and sarcastic character Chandler Bing, died at the age of 54.
Perry was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his Pacific Palisades home on Saturday, October 28. An investigation is “ongoing” by authorities.
LeBlanc, 56, who played Chandler’s best friend Joey Tribbiani, wrote on Instagram: “Matthew. It is with a heavy heart I say goodbye. The times we had together are honestly among the favourite times of my life. 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.
“Spread your wings and fly brother you’re finally free. Much love.
“And I guess you’re keeping the 20 bucks you owe me.”
He also shared a heartbreaking photo of the six Friends cast members embracing with Perry at the final recording in 2004 and of Joey and Chandler hugging during an episode of the NBC show.
Meanwhile, Courteney Cox - who played Monica Geller - said she is “so grateful for every moment” with Perry, sharing a favourite clip from their time together on Friends.
Cox starred opposite Perry with the characters first becoming romantically involved during a trip to London before getting married and adopting children later in the series.
In her first solo statement, Cox posted a video of the pair filming in the UK capital in which the studio audience’s unmistakable reaction could be heard.
She said: “When you work with someone as closely as I did with Matthew, there are thousands of moments I wish I could share. For now here’s one of my favourites.
“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.
“In this scene, before we started rolling, he whispered a funny line for me to say. He often did things like that. He was funny and he was kind.”
Cox added: “I am so grateful for every moment I had with you Matty and I miss you every day.”
LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow and Jennifer Aniston had gathered for Perry’s funeral service at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles.
Perry’s fellow co-stars said they were “utterly devastated” and described their relationship as “more than cast mates. We are a family” in a joint statement.
A new foundation has been set up in his memory which promises to continue his commitment to “helping others struggling with the disease of addiction”.
During Perry’s life and in his recent memoir, he was open about his battle with substance abuse and addiction and also set up a sober living facility for men with similar issues.
