As the world prepares to mark two years since the heartbreaking loss of Friends star Matthew Perry, his longtime co-star and friend, Matt LeBlanc, has quietly resurfaced in Los Angeles.
The actor, known for his charm and comedic timing as Joey Tribbiani, was spotted out for a rare public appearance this week — a subtle reminder of how much has changed since the beloved sitcom first ended.
A Quiet Life Away from Hollywood
LeBlanc, now 58, has traded the cameras and red carpets for a much simpler life.
Instead of chasing scripts and premieres, he’s been running a car dealership in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles.
The once Hollywood fixture appeared relaxed and low-key as he strolled beside his daughter, Marina, 21, during the outing.
Dressed casually in a red T-shirt, jeans, and a baseball cap, the actor sported greying hair and a short beard — a look that reflects his life away from the limelight.
The sighting marked his first public appearance in almost 10 months.
Remembering Matthew Perry
LeBlanc’s outing comes just days before October 28, which marks two years since the passing of his Friends co-star Matthew Perry.
Perry, who played Chandler Bing opposite LeBlanc’s Joey, died tragically in 2023 at the age of 54 from drowning following a ketamine overdose.
The two actors shared one of television’s most iconic on-screen friendships, and their bond off-camera was known to be genuine.
Fans of the show continue to mourn Perry’s loss, with tributes expected to pour in as the anniversary approaches.— even sourcing rare models for elite clients.
Business filings reveal that LeBlanc has been involved with the company since October 2020.
Recent photos showed him at the dealership, hands-on and hard at work, with his own $149,000 black Mercedes G-Wagon parked out front.
Keeping His Private Life Private
When approached for comment, LeBlanc preferred to stay out of the spotlight — literally ducking out of view to avoid interviews. However, employees at RPM confirmed his ownership role at the dealership.
LeBlanc shares his only daughter, Marina, with his ex-wife Melissa McKnight, whom he was married to from 2003 until 2006. Despite their split, LeBlanc has maintained a close relationship with his daughter, who has grown up largely away from public attention.
Taking a Break from Acting
LeBlanc hasn’t appeared in a TV or film project since the Friends reunion on HBO Max in 2021. Before that, his last major role was in the CBS sitcom Man with a Plan, which aired from 2016 to 2020. In previous interviews, the actor admitted he was intentionally stepping back to enjoy some time away from Hollywood pressures — and it seems he’s stuck to that promise.
The Rare Friends Reunion
In a recent revelation, Friends co-star Lisa Kudrow shared that the six main cast members — Kudrow, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, LeBlanc, and Perry — had only reunited once in the 17 years between the show’s finale in 2004 and their HBO special in 2021.
“We’d only had dinner, the six of us, once before since the show ended,” Kudrow said during an appearance on Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s Dinner’s on Me podcast. But when they finally gathered again, it felt like no time had passed at all. “Just us at someone’s house — and we didn’t miss a beat,” she recalled.
A Legacy That Still Shines
Even decades later, Friends continues to hold an iconic place in television history. The hit sitcom earned 62 Emmy nominations and took home six wins, including the coveted Outstanding Comedy Series award in 2002. Both Jennifer Aniston and Lisa Kudrow received individual Emmys for their standout performances as Rachel Green and Phoebe Buffay.
As fans remember Matthew Perry and the joy Friends brought to millions, Matt LeBlanc’s quiet return to the public eye serves as a gentle reminder of how deeply those friendships — both on-screen and off — continue to resonate.