Matt LeBlanc mulling retirement after Matthew Perry's death forced him to 'rethink life', claims source

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Matt LeBlanc is quietly stepping away from the spotlight. After the tragic death of his 'Friends' co-star Matthew Perry last year, the 57-year-old actor seems to be rethinking his priorities.

According to reports, LeBlanc has pulled back from the public eye and has no plans of returning to TV or film anytime soon. He’s choosing instead to follow in the footsteps of legends like Jack Nicholson, opting for a low-key life away from Hollywood’s hustle and bustle.

Matt LeBlanc seeks a new path after Matthew Perry’s death

A close friend of Matt LeBlanc shared that Matthew Perry’s death has left him deeply affected. “Matt is still upset over the loss of Matthew,” they told the Daily Mail. “Such an important part of his 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.”

Since then, LeBlanc has kept a low profile — a huge contrast to his usual outgoing nature.

LeBlanc hasn’t been involved in any film or TV projects since the 'Friends' HBO reunion special back in 2021. His last official role was in the CBS sitcom 'Man with a Plan', which ended in 2020. And while he’s always been a fan favorite, it seems that the loss of Perry was the tipping point that convinced him to step back from acting.

So, could we see Matt LeBlanc back on screen again? According to insiders, that’s highly unlikely. “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,” shared a source.

They explained that LeBlanc is financially set, so there’s no pressure for him to work again: “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.”

When asked if there was any truth to reports that Matt LeBlanc was going to retire from the entertainment industry, his publicist flatly denied such claims. "Rubbish," they said, according to the Mirror.

'Friends' cast Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox step in to support Matt LeBlanc

Matt LeBlanc’s 'Friends' co-stars Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox are reportedly concerned about him as he navigates this new chapter. According to InTouch, Aniston and Cox have been making extra efforts to be there for him in recent weeks. They want to keep an eye on their friend and make sure he’s doing okay after Perry’s sudden passing.

Perry’s death hit the 'Friends' cast especially hard, given their deep bonds both on and off the set. LeBlanc and Perry were particularly close, living near each other around the time of Perry’s passing on October 28, 2023. It was LeBlanc who was the first to share a public tribute after the devastating news broke.

LeBlanc 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."

"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 added.

Remembering Matthew Perry and Matt LeBlanc’s legacy and their shared challenges

Matthew Perry and Matt LeBlanc shared not only history on screen but also the ups and downs of navigating life after 'Friends'. Perry’s attempt to keep the 'Friends' magic alive with the spinoff show 'Joey' was famously short-lived, lasting only two seasons before it was pulled.

Reflecting on 'Joey' a decade later, Perry admitted: “It was doomed from the start. The writing and the jokes were OK but the conflict and the obstacles in the stories were not valid enough.” Perry noted that while Joey was the ultimate optimist on 'Friends', the spin-off show cast him as more of a pessimist, which just didn’t feel right.

In 2015, Perry summed up the experience. "In Friends Joey was always glass is half full. In Joey, he was a glass half empty. And that was sad," he explained. "It was the same showrunner as Friends, and I think we should have taken a year off. In Friends, I was sharing a 22-minute episode with six other characters. In Joey, the script was all me. It was a lot of responsibility. The pressure was so much, I remember feeling like an elephant had sat on my head." he added.

Still, he managed to find a silver lining in the experience and joked: “I made 30 million dollars, I’d like another one of those failures!”

LeBlanc found new roles after 'Friends', including his critically acclaimed turn in the series 'Episodes' from 2011 to 2017. He even took on a hosting gig for the BBC’s popular show 'Top Gear' from 2016 to 2019. But after Perry’s passing, it seems that LeBlanc’s career is no longer a priority for him.