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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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.
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.
FANS STUNNED: JASON MOMOA’S NEW 12-YEAR-YOUNGER GIRLFRIEND RESEMBLES HIS EX-WIFE
Jason Momoa’s new relationship is making waves in the news after he posted pictures of his girlfriend, who is also well-known.
Fans have been talking about how his new girlfriend looks similar to his ex-wife and even his daughter. Some people think it’s odd that his girlfriend looks like his teenage daughter.
Jason Momoa has confirmed that he’s dating again. With his new girlfriend’s photos spreading online, people are comparing her to his family members. Some say his ex is more beautiful, while others find it uncomfortable that his new girlfriend resembles his child.
Jason Momoa is famous for his role in the 2018 film “Aquaman,” where he starred with Amber Heard. They both returned for the sequel in 2023.
He has also acted with Vin Diesel, Tyrese Gibson, Michelle Rodriguez, and Gal Gadot in the popular movie “Fast X.”
Besides his successful acting career, Jason Momoa’s love life has also attracted a lot of public interest. He has been romantically linked to several well-known women over the years.
Jason Momoa was married to Lisa Bonet, who is famous for her role on “The Cosby Show.” They became a well-known couple. They started dating in 2005 after friends introduced them to each other.
At the time, Lisa Bonet was 12 years older than Jason Momoa and was a single mom raising her teenage daughter, Zoë Kravitz, from her previous marriage to Lenny Kravitz.
Momoa built a close bond with both Zoë and Lenny. He affectionately calls Zoë “Zozo bear,” and she calls him “Papa bear.” Momoa also has a lot of respect for Lenny Kravitz, and the feeling is mutual.
Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet got married in October 2017. They have two children together: a daughter named Lola and a son named Nakoa-Wolf. Both kids are now teenagers.
In a 2018 interview, Jason Momoa talked about how much he enjoyed his marriage with Lisa Bonet. He said she was very funny and quirky, which made him laugh a lot. He also praised her for being a great mom and said they were a “perfect fit.”
However, after being together for 16 years and married for four of those years, Momoa and Bonet announced they were separating in January 2022. They explained that they were going through big changes and that their love was evolving.
They said in a joint statement, “We have all felt the squeeze and changes of these transformational times… A revolution is unfolding and our family is no exception… feeling and growing from the seismic shifts occurring.”
The couple’s breakup surprised many fans, and later, it was revealed what led to their separation.
Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet’s split happened because they had different priorities. A source revealed that Momoa was very focused on his career and enjoyed the success it brought him. Meanwhile, Bonet wanted to stay in Los Angeles and focus on health and wellness. Their different lifestyles led them to drift apart.
Two years after they announced their separation, Bonet filed for divorce in January 2024. She mentioned “irreconcilable differences” and said they separated in October 2020. The court quickly approved their divorce. They had already agreed on the terms, including joint custody of their children and no child or spousal support.
After the divorce, Momoa briefly dated Mexican singer and actress Eiza Gonzalez. Their relationship ended in June 2022, partly because they were at different stages in their lives.
Since then, Momoa has started a new relationship. At a Comic Con event in May 2024, he confirmed he was dating someone but kept her identity private. He later shared photos from a trip to Japan with some friends, including a woman who might be his new partner.
Jason Momoa shared his gratitude on social media, thanking everyone who welcomed them into their homes and made new memories together. In the post, he went public with his new relationship with Puerto Rican actress Adria Arjona. Arjona, who is 12 years younger than Momoa, was featured in several photos, including one where she is smiling and sitting on his lap.
Their relationship has caught the attention of many fans, who are excited to follow their love story as they continue to share moments from their lives together.
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