Matt LeBlanc, renowned for his portrayal of Joey Tribbiani on the iconic sitcom “Friends,” has significantly reduced his presence in Hollywood and the acting profession. He is reportedly investing his time into an exotic car business that he owns.
A source from Star described LeBlanc as a “major homebody” who rarely socializes. The 57-year-old actor, father to a daughter with ex-wife Melissa McKnight, hasn’t engaged with his former “Friends” co-stars as one might anticipate. Lisa Kudrow, who played Phoebe Buffay on the show, had earlier disclosed that the cast had only reunited once between the series conclusion in 2004 and their HBO reunion in 2021. LeBlanc is known to politely decline most invitations to dinner parties and events, according to the source. However, LeBlanc’s representative refuted these claims, declaring the Star’s report was “not true.”
Despite the speculations about LeBlanc’s reclusive tendencies, his former co-star David Schwimmer stated on “Good Morning America” that they still keep in touch. Schwimmer, who resides in New York, New York, while LeBlanc lives in Los Angeles, California, mentioned they may not communicate for months at a time but that LeBlanc will occasionally send him a message with a clip from the show, including a recent surprise clip of a humorous scene between their characters.
Schwimmer also acknowledged the enduring impact of “Friends,” citing instances where fans have learned English from the show or found solace in it during challenging times. “It’s kind of the gift that keeps on giving,” he remarked.
Jennifer Aniston, another former “Friends” co-star known for her dedication to health and fitness, has reportedly expressed concern about LeBlanc’s noticeable weight gain and has encouraged him to prioritize his health. Aniston, a proponent of the Pvolve workout regimen, has reportedly offered private, nonjudgmental assistance to help LeBlanc improve his fitness.
LeBlanc, who has become more private in recent times, does not appear to have welcomed the unsolicited advice. Aniston, however, is said to be tactful in her approach, aiming to encourage him towards a healthier lifestyle without causing discomfort.
Public sightings of LeBlanc have been scarce, a recent one in Los Angeles, California, showed him smoking a cigarette. This retreat from public life coincided with the first anniversary of the death of Matthew Perry, his co-star on “Friends”, who was found dead from an apparent overdose in his California home on October 28, 2023, with other contributing factors including drowning and coronary artery disease.
LeBlanc was deeply impacted by Perry’s death and is possibly reassessing his life and priorities. An insider told RadarOnline that LeBlanc is still grieving Perry’s death and it has prompted him to refocus his interests.
LeBlanc has not assumed new acting roles since the “Friends” reunion in 2021. He formerly hosted BBC’s “Top Gear” after the original hosts departed, but he has since retired from television. A report on Marca.com claimed that LeBlanc has seemingly retired and is unconcerned about his disheveled appearance or weight gain. The actor’s increased weight has reportedly sparked health concerns, with some fearing he is struggling with depression following Perry’s death.
LeBlanc’s contemplation about his Hollywood career’s significance has reportedly been triggered by the deaths of close friends, including Perry, James Michael Tyler, Sabine Schmitz, and Ken Block. Despite a reported net worth of $85 million, LeBlanc seems to be grappling with finding personal fulfillment, according to a source who spoke with RadarOnline.
While some sources suggest LeBlanc has entirely withdrawn from the Hollywood scene, Schwimmer’s comments imply that LeBlanc still maintains connections with close friends. His future public appearances or continuation of his private lifestyle remain uncertain.
