Matt LeBlanc Shunned Hollywood for a Cattle Ranch Yet Never Lost Connection with 'Brother' Matthew Perry

• "Friends" star Matt LeBlanc shunned the limelight of Hollywood and moved to a cattle ranch that he barely left "for years and years" after starring on the show.
• Although he rarely communicated with others, he never lost his connection with his friend Matthew Perry.
• Recently, LeBlanc shared a heartfelt tribute to the beloved late icon, whom he called his "little brother."

Matt LeBlanc, 56, is a famous actor in Hollywood best known for his epic portrayal of Joey Tribbiani from the iconic series "Friends." The top-rated series catapulted LeBlanc to fame, gaining instant recognition worldwide.

Though LeBlanc became incredibly successful from the hit show, what may be unbeknownst to many is that the actor is not really one who had a knack for the spotlight. In fact, at the height of his career, when he garnered a place as one of the highest-paid actors in the world, he went off the grid for five years.

He shunned Tinseltown's limelight, and according to a news outlet, a series of personal crises saw him relocate to a cattle ranch in California. LeBlanc reportedly even cut his hair into a mohawk style to act as an extra reinforcement to stop him from going out into the public. Of his self-imposed exile, the star divulged:

"For years and years, I barely left the house...It was a very dark time. I almost had a nervous breakdown."

LeBlanc revealed that he decided to go into hiding due to being burnt out and not wanting to have a hectic work schedule anymore, especially as he was in a position to do that.

He also spoke about telling his agent not to call him for a few years, and despite living among the famous likes of Oprah Winfrey and Kiefer Sutherland, LeBlanc rarely ever communicated with neighbors or other people.

Matt LeBlanc May Have Lost Contact with the outside World but Always Cherished Seeing His 'Friends' Family

Although LeBlanc needed to disconnect and isolate for a while to avoid being under the constant scrutiny of the public eye, he always cherished seeing his fellow "Friends" co-stars. The cast, who became like family to each other, kept in contact and supported each other's endeavors, like when he supported the late icon, Matthew Perry, who he considers his younger brother, in 2016.

Despite not seeing each other frequently since the show ended, LeBlanc confirmed that the "Friends" family's bonds endured no matter how much time passed. Of his friendship with Perry and their bond, LeBlanc disclosed:

"I could not see him for five years, and then put me in a room with him, and it will be like I saw him yesterday. We still have this shorthand with one another...we got to know each other pretty well...I love that guy."

The friendships cultivated between the entire cast (Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Perry, Courteney Cox, and LeBlanc) are life-long. LeBlanc himself confirmed that they even operate as a family unit:

"Jen's like my little sister. Courteney [Cox] and Lisa [Kudrow] are like my big sisters...Matthew's like my little brother, and David [Schwimmer]'s like my big brother. That's how it all broke down..."

Matt LeBlanc Shared a Heartfelt Tribute to His Late 'Brother' Matthew Perry as He Mourns His Passing

Yesterday, over two weeks since Perry's sudden death, LeBlanc took to his social media account to share a tear-jerking and sentimental dedication to his beloved late friend and brother. He posted five pictures from episodes of "Friends" that commemorated the memorable moments the two spent together.

His caption spoke to the significant loss he is facing and his gratitude for having gotten to spend time and form a friendship with Perry. He even considered the times they shared some of his favorite experiences.

LeBlanc also expressed his love for Perry and ended his message with an inside joke between the two. Another sentimental part of his tribute read as follows:

"...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..."

LeBlanc's heartfelt dedication to his dearly missed close friend also sparked strong emotional reactions from the public, who are also grieving the loss of such an instrumental legend in Hollywood.