Matt LeBlanc blasts reports claiming he is planning to retire from acting after Matthew Perry's death

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Matt LeBlanc is hitting back at reports claiming he’s planning to say goodbye to the entertainment industry after Matthew Perry's death.

Perry and LeBlanc, who played Chandler Bing and Joey Tribbiani respectively in the hit sitcom 'Friends', were close friends.

However, his publicist has called the rumors surrounding the 57-year-old actor's apparent retirement "rubbish," as per The Mirror.

Insider claimed Matt LeBlanc had silently retired as he didn't want to be in the limelight anymore

Talking about Matt LeBlanc's reaction to Matthew Perry's death, a source told DailyMail, "Such an important part of his [LeBlanc] life and a good friend is gone. It has made him rethink his life. He wants to focus on other interests as that’s what is important to him right now."

They added, "He would need the perfect opportunity to return in front of the camera for any role in TV and film as he has silently retired," before noting, "He is financially stable and doesn't really want to be in the limelight anymore."

"He has looked into how both Rick Moranis and Jack Nicholson did it. They just stopped and decided to live life and be happy with what they did in the past. He wants to enjoy life and keep things simple," asserted the mole. 

Matt LeBlanc hasn't appeared in any film or TV project since 2021 

Despite his publicist refuting the retirement claims, Matthew LeBlanc hasn't appeared in any film or TV project since the 2021 'Friends: The Reunion', which also featured his castmates, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, and Mattew Perry.

In the same year, he also did a special episode of 'Top Gear' to pay tribute to professional race car driver Sabine Schmitz, who died in March 2021 of cancer.

His last proper acting gig was as Adam Burns on CBS' 'Man with a Plan', which aired from 2016 to 2020.

The 'Joey' star had once said in 2012 that he’s an introvert. He shared, "People will always ask me if I'm all right, because I'm much more low-key and reserved than my character in 'Friends.'"

LeBlanc added, "They think that I'm depressed, or I'm sad or upset - but I'm just not amped up to go out in front of an audience and do a TV show. That's not who I am." 

LeBlanc was the first of the 'Friends' cast to pay tribute to Perry following his sudden death last year. Taking to Instagram, 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."

The actor added, "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. Spread your wings and fly brother you're finally free. Much love. And I guess you're keeping the 20 bucks you owe me."