Joey from ‘Friends’ Resurfaces at 57 – His New Look Has Everyone Talking

Matt LeBlanc, famous for playing Joey on “Friends,” recently appeared in public again at 57, showing a big change in his look. After staying out of Hollywood for years, his new appearance surprised fans, leading to mixed reactions online.

LeBlanc became very popular for his role as Joey Tribbiani on “Friends,” where people loved him for his humor, good looks, and memorable lines. But after the show ended, LeBlanc started to step away from the spotlight.

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Let’s look at Matt LeBlanc’s journey and changes over the years — from playing the lovable Joey Tribbiani on “Friends,” going through what he described as the hardest time of his life, to his recent public appearance that left some social media users concerned about him.

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1994 – 2000
Matt LeBlanc became a major star in the mid-90s thanks to his role as Joey Tribbiani on the hit sitcom “Friends.” The show, which first aired in 1994, quickly became a global sensation, winning over millions of fans and making LeBlanc a household name.

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LeBlanc’s character, Joey, was a struggling actor with a big heart, known for his great sense of humor, his simple yet lovable personality, and his iconic catchphrase, “How you doin’?” Joey was the ladies’ man of the group, combining his good looks with a childlike charm that instantly made him a fan favorite.

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With his sharp jawline, thick dark hair, and a smile that could brighten any room, LeBlanc’s good looks played a big role in his character’s appeal. Fans were captivated by his natural charm and the boyish innocence that made Joey both relatable and impossible to resist.

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2004 – 2006

After “Friends” ended in 2004, LeBlanc tried to keep Joey Tribbiani’s story going with the spin-off show, “Joey.” While the series aimed to recreate the success of “Friends,” it struggled to connect with audiences.

Running from 2004 to 2006, “Joey” only lasted for two seasons before it was canceled due to low ratings and poor reviews.

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During these years, LeBlanc went through personal struggles that made this time even harder. He was dealing with a painful divorce, and the pressure of trying to save the show added to his stress.

“My marriage was maybe doomed anyway, I don’t know,” LeBlanc admitted. On top of this, his young daughter was diagnosed with a health issue, adding to the emotional weight he was carrying.

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Sadly, the challenges continued. LeBlanc also faced betrayal when a nanny sold a story about his daughter’s health to the media.

He described this time as one of the darkest periods of his life, feeling torn between his responsibilities as a father and his efforts to make “Joey” a success.

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LeBlanc often struggled to be funny on set, with his mind constantly distracted by worries about his daughter’s health and the turmoil in his personal life.

Despite these challenges, he pushed through, later reflecting on how these tough times helped him grow. “But I got through it. Don’t they say, ‘What doesn’t kill us, only makes us stronger?’” he shared.

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2007-2011
After “Joey” was canceled in 2006, LeBlanc made the surprising choice to leave the entertainment industry. For five years, he stayed out of the spotlight, taking a break to focus on his personal life.

Looking back on this time, LeBlanc said, “For years and years, I barely left the house. I was burnt out. I wanted to not have a schedule, not be somewhere. I was in a position to do that.”

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LeBlanc described this period as a dark chapter in his life, where he nearly faced a nervous breakdown. “My agent was bummed. Most actors call their agents and say, ‘What’s going on?’ I’d call mine and say, ‘Please lose my number for a few years,’” the actor revealed.

In 2011, LeBlanc made a surprising return to television, playing a fictionalized version of himself in the series “Episodes.” “None of it’s me. Even the parts that are me, are not me,” LeBlanc explained cryptically.

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LeBlanc’s comeback in “Episodes” highlighted his natural comedic talent, a key part of his personality. “I like to laugh. I’ve been like this my whole life. I have funny bones. If there’s ever any kind of tension, I’ll always be the one to try and be funny to loosen things up,” he shared.

2017
After eight years of playing his unique character, LeBlanc bid farewell to “Episodes” in 2017. Looking back, he expressed his gratitude, saying, “I’ve just been so, so lucky to be a part of it.”

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During this period, LeBlanc’s appearance had notably changed. He had a fuller figure and a more rugged look compared to his earlier days as Joey, with his hair now turned a distinguished silver.

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In 2022, LeBlanc made one of his final public appearances before stepping back from the spotlight once more. He showcased a distinguished look, blending his signature casual charm with a touch of mature elegance.

I’m a mom to a 9-year-old boy, and let me tell you, the mess in his room has been driving me up the wall!

The chaos in my son, Leo’s, room was legendary. Toys lay strewn across the floor like fallen leaves, clothes were draped over every available surface, and a mountain of dirty laundry threatened to engulf his bed. I’d nagged, I’d pleaded, I’d even resorted to threats, but nothing seemed to penetrate the fog of his youthful disorganization.

Then, my in-laws arrived for a barbecue. As the aroma of grilling burgers filled the air, I vented my frustrations to my mother-in-law, lamenting the eternal struggle against the tyranny of childhood clutter.

She listened patiently, a twinkle in her eye. “Oh, don’t worry, dear,” she said, “I’ll get him to clean it up.”

I raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “How, exactly?”

She simply smiled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “You’ll see.”

And see, I did. My mother-in-law, with the grace of a seasoned magician, approached Leo, who was currently engrossed in a video game. She whispered something in his ear, her voice a low, conspiratorial murmur.

Leo, initially resistant, suddenly sprang to his feet, a look of excitement replacing his usual indifference. He bolted upstairs, a whirlwind of energy, leaving a trail of discarded toys in his wake.

Within an hour, a miracle had occurred. Leo’s room was transformed. Toys were neatly tucked away in bins, clothes were folded and placed in drawers, and the mountain of laundry had miraculously vanished. Even the dreaded “Lego death trap” lurking under the bed was miraculously cleared.

Astonished, I turned to my mother-in-law. “What did you say to him?” I demanded, my curiosity piqued.

She chuckled, her eyes twinkling. “Oh, I simply told him I had hidden a hundred dollars somewhere in his room. He had to find it before he could have any dessert.”

My jaw dropped. “You bribed him?”

“Of course,” she replied, “A little incentive never hurt anyone.”

And there it was. The secret to conquering the chaos of childhood: a little bit of bribery and a whole lot of grandma magic.

From that day on, I adopted my mother-in-law’s strategy. A misplaced toy? “I hear the tooth fairy is looking for a hiding spot for some extra special coins…” A forgotten chore? “I wonder where I put those extra movie tickets I was saving for you…”

Leo, initially skeptical, quickly learned the game. He became a cleaning machine, his room miraculously transforming into a haven of order and cleanliness whenever the “treasure hunt” was announced.

And while some might argue that bribery is not the most ethical parenting technique, I couldn’t help but admire my mother-in-law’s ingenuity. After all, in the battle against childhood clutter, a little bit of strategic maneuvering never hurt anyone.

Besides, who am I to argue with results? Leo’s room was cleaner than it had ever been, and I was finally enjoying a moment of peace and quiet. And that, I realized, was priceless.

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