Fans Worry for ‘Friends’ Star Matt Leblanc, 57, Who ‘Put on So Much Weight’ as He’s Finally Seen in Public
A recent sighting of Matt LeBlanc has caused a stir among fans as the actor appears to have undergone significant weight gain. The unexpected transformation has ignited a flurry of comments and reactions on social media.
Matt LeBlanc has been keeping a low profile for months, but the beloved “Friends” star finally stepped out of the shadows in Los Angeles on Friday.
The 57-year-old actor, best known for his iconic role as Joey Tribbiani, was spotted at a car showroom in the San Fernando Valley, and let’s just say… fans had thoughts.
LeBlanc was rocking a super casual look, sporting a black T-shirt, dark jeans, and sneakers—far from the days when his “How you doin’?” line would make hearts skip a beat. Topping off the look with a navy baseball cap, he definitely embraced the low-key vibe.
But the internet being the internet, reactions to his new appearance poured in almost instantly. Some barely recognized him, with one fan cheekily commenting, “Dad bod loaded 😍😍😍,” while another kept it simple with “Dad bod.”
But not all reactions were playful. LeBlanc’s appearance sparked concern among some fans who pointed out his significant weight gain, with one person writing, “He’s Curvy and he likes it! 😡” While another questioned, “What happened to him, so obese?”
A fan comment dated September 8, 2024 | Source: X/ElliottJacks1
Someone else expressed concern, saying, “He has put on so much weight… hope he’s fine.” Others even speculated that the actor was “overeating.” The actor’s noticeable change also led others to speculate that his physical transformation might be linked to grief over the passing of his close friend and “Friends” co-star, Matthew Perry.
“He has probably been grieving so hard,” wrote one sympathetic fan, while another added, “He must have been going through some rough times… wish him the best! 🙏🏼🙏��”
Still, for many, Matt LeBlanc remains just as charming. One fan put it best with, “Still handsome 😍,” because no matter how much time passes, Joey Tribbiani will always be the heartthrob who stole our hearts.
A fan comment dated September 8, 2024 | Source: Instagram/pagesix
When it comes to Tribbiani, there’s one thing every “Friends” fan knows: the man loves food.
A photo of Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani in “Friends” | Source: YouTube/@warnerbrostv
He burst onto our screens with that irresistible charm, goofy swagger, and, of course, a voracious appetite that became a defining part of his personality.
A photo of Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani in “Friends” | Source: YouTube/@warnerbrostv
Matt Leblanc as Joey holding a packet of potato chips on the set of “Friends.” Source
Whether it was his iconic catchphrase, “Joey doesn’t share food!” or his uncanny ability to devour everything in sight, food and Joey have always been inseparable.
A photo of Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani in “Friends” | Source: YouTube/@warnerbrostv
Matt LeBlanc as Joey on the set of “Friends” having dessert | Source: YouTube/@warnerbrostv
Plus fans couldn’t forget his almost spiritual relationship with pizza. Joey’s love for New York’s finest was so strong that he created his own culinary masterpiece, “The Joey Special”—a meal fit for a king because it’s not one, but two pizzas.
Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani and David Swimmer as Ross Geller on the set of “Friends” | Source: YouTube/@warnerbrostv
As the series went on, Joey’s obsession with food evolved into a running joke, whether it was warming up with a handful of chips before conquering a whole Thanksgiving turkey or befriending pizza delivery guys as if they were lifelong pals.
Matt LeBlanc as Joey on the set of “Friends” eating pizza | Source: YouTube/@warnerbrostv
Perhaps no moment better captures Joey’s devotion to food than that unforgettable Thanksgiving episode. Monica announces she’s cutting turkey from the meal, and Joey is nothing short of horrified.
Matt LeBlanc as Joey on the set of “Friends” eating turkey | Source: YouTube/@warnerbrostv
The thought of Thanksgiving without turkey? Blasphemy! In true Joey fashion, he agrees to Monica’s challenge: finish the entire turkey in one sitting, or no turkey at all. And, of course, Joey rises to the occasion, finishing it with the pride of the Tribbiani name soaring high.
Even when faced with Phoebe’s impassioned plea about the beauty of the animal, Joey’s stomach wins out. Because at the end of the day, Joey’s love for food is just as boundless as his love for his friends—and that’s why fans love him.