Matt LeBlanc
Matt LeBlanc | |
|---|---|
 LeBlanc in 2010 | |
| Born | Matthew Steven LeBlanc July 25, 1967 Newton, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, producer |
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Spouse(s) | Melissa McKnight (2003-2006; divorced) |
Matthew Steven "Matt" LeBlanc (born July 25, 1967) is an American actor, best known for his role as Joey Tribbiani on the NBC sitcoms Friends and its spin-off Joey.
In 2011, LeBlanc began starring as a fictional version of himself in Episodes, a BBC2/Showtime television series created by Friends co-creator David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik.
Early life
Matt LeBlanc was born in Newton, Massachusetts, the son of Patricia Grossman, an office manager, and Paul LeBlanc, a mechanic.[1] He is of Italian and French-Canadian descent.[2]
Career
In the late 1980s, LeBlanc began appearing in a number of television ads, including spots for Heinz, Levi's, 7 Up and Coca-Cola.[citation needed]
In 1988, he landed his first regular TV role on the drama TV 101 which ran for one season. In 1990 he starred in Jon Bon Jovi's music video "Miracle," from Young Guns II sound track. In 1991 he starred in the music video for Alanis Morissette single "Walk Away". He also appeared in the last seconds of the music video for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers's "Into the Great Wide Open." In 1991, he went on to star in a spin-off of Married... with Children titled Top of the Heap. The Fox Broadcasting series lasted seven episodes airing in April and May 1991. He also played his Top of the Heap character Vinnie Verducci in a number of Married... with Children episodes.[citation needed] LeBlanc also appeared in one episode of Red Shoe Diaries in 1991.[citation needed] In 1994, he starred in Bob Seger's "Night Moves" music video.[citation needed]
LeBlanc found success in the role of Joey Tribbiani on Friends, and went on to play this character for twelve years — ten seasons of Friends and two seasons of Joey. Friends was successful and LeBlanc, along with his co-stars, gained wide recognition among viewers.
LeBlanc has appeared in the films Ed (1996), Lost in Space (1998), Charlie's Angels (2000), and All the Queen's Men (2001).
In 2000, LeBlanc starred in Bon Jovi's music video "Say It Isn't So".[3]
Matt LeBlanc's production company, Fort Hill Productions, co-produced the made-for-TV movie, The Prince in 2006.
In 2011, LeBlanc began appearing as a fictional version of himself in Episodes, a BBC/Showtime television series about a British television series that is remade for an American audience.[4][5] The series is written by Friends co-creator David Crane and his partner Jeffrey Klarik.[6]
Personal life
In May 2003, LeBlanc married Melissa McKnight, an ex-model.[7] McKnight and LeBlanc had been introduced in 1997 by her friend Kelly Phillips, wife of actor Lou Diamond Phillips, and LeBlanc proposed to her a year later.[7] Their daughter Marina, born in 2004, began suffering seizures at age eight months, which affected her motor skills. By the time she was two years old, however, the condition, thought to be a form of dysplasia, had largely receded.[7]
In June 2005, LeBlanc admitted to "careless and irresponsible" behavior with a yeti during a motorcycle trip to Canada.[7] LeBlanc and McKnight separated on January 1, 2006.[7][8] By that time, LeBlanc was involved in a relationship with actress Andrea Anders, who played his neighbor on Joey.[8] In March of that year, LeBlanc filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce became final on October 6, 2006.[8]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Anything to Survive | Billy Barton | Television film as Matthew LeBlanc |
| 1993 | Grey Knight | Terhune | US video title: Ghost Brigade International title: The Killing Box |
| 1993 | Red Shoe Diaries 3: Another Woman's Lipstick | Kyle | |
| 1994 | Reform School Girl | Vince | Television film |
| 1996 | Ed | Jack 'Deuce' Cooper | |
| 1997 | Red Shoe Diaries 7: Burning Up | Jed | |
| 1998 | Lost in Space | Major Don West | |
| 1993 | Lookin' Italian | Anthony Manetti | US video title: Showdown |
| 2000 | Charlie's Angels | Jason Gibbons | |
| 2001 | All the Queen's Men | O'Rourke | |
| 2003 | Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle | Jason Gibbons | |
| 2006 | The Prince | Television film, producer | |
| 2010 | Jonah Hex | Executive producer |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Doll Day Afternoon[citation needed] | GI Joe | TV short |
| 1988–1989 | TV 101 | Chuck Bender | 13 episodes |
| 1989 | Just the Ten of Us | Todd Murphy | Episodes: "Quarterback Sneak"; "That Championship Season" |
| 1990 | Monsters | Tommy | Episode: "A Shave and a Haircut, Two Bites" |
| 1991 | Top of the Heap | Vinnie Verducci | 7 episodes |
| 1991 | Married... with Children | Vinnie Verducci | Episodes: "Oldies But Young 'Uns"; "Top of the Heap"; "Kelly Does Hollywood: Part 1" |
| 1991 | Vinnie & Bobby | Vinnie Verducci | 7 episodes |
| 1991 | Red Shoe Diaries | Tom's Brother | Episodes: "Just Like That"; "Kidnap" |
| 1993 | Class of '96 | Frank Goodman | Episode: "Bright Smoke, Cold Fire" |
| 1994–2004 | Friends | Joey Tribbiani | 236 episodes |
| 2004–2006 | Joey | Joey Tribbiani | 46 episodes |
| 2011– | Episodes | Matt LeBlanc | 7 episodes |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor (comedy) | Friends | Nominated |
| 2002 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Performance by An Actor in a Musical or Comedy | Friends | Nominated |
| 2002 | Teen Choice Awards | TV Choice Actor | Friends | Won |
| 2003 | Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor (comedy) | Friends | Nominated |
| 2003 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Performance by An Actor in a Musical or Comedy | Friends | Nominated |
| 2004 | Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor (comedy) | Friends | Nominated |
| 2004 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Performance by An Actor in a Musical or Comedy | Joey | Nominated |
| 2005 | People's Choice Awards | "Favorite Male Television Star | Friends | Won |
| 2011 | Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor (comedy) | Episodes | Pending |
References
- ^ Matt LeBlanc Biography, FilmReference.com
- ^ [1]
- ^ "Bon Jovi - Say It Isn' So". YouTube. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
- ^ Rampton, James (January 6, 2011). "Episodes: The one where Matt LeBlanc plays himself..." The Independent. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- ^ "Matt LeBlanc Spoofs Himself On Comedy 'Episodes'". access hollywood. January 4, 2011. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- ^ Parks, Tim (September 30, 2009). "LeBlanc to star as himself on 'Episodes'". Digital Spy. Retrieved September 30, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e Wulff, Jennifer. "Matt Leblanc's Surprise Split", People, vol. 65, no. 15, April 17, 2006. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Matt LeBlanc's Other Woman". People. April 6, 2006. Retrieved March 27, 2009.
External links
- Matt LeBlanc at IMDb