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.
My Husband Found a 17-Year-Old Letter in a Bottle While Fishing — Reading It Sent Him to Find Its Late Author’s House
When my husband found a dusty old bottle floating in the lake, we never imagined it would send us on a journey straight out of a mystery novel. The letter inside spoke of betrayal, hidden treasure, and a life on the brink. Eventually, its contents dragged us into the eerie remnants of a stranger’s past.
I had just curled up on the couch with my favorite book and a hot cup of tea in hand. The house was quiet, the way I liked it when Tom was out fishing. Through the open window, I could hear birds chirping, and the cool lake breeze carried the scent of pine.
A woman drinking tea with a book | Source: Pexels
Tom had left before dawn, as usual, with his tackle box and that old fishing rod he still refuses to replace. He never caught much, but he loved that it was just him, the water, and the quiet. I figured he’d be back around dinner, like always.
But this day was anything but regular.
A man fishing | Source: Pexels
The sound of the door bursting open made me jump, nearly spilling my tea. Tom came rushing in, out of breath, his boots thudding across the floor. His grin stretched ear to ear, and his eyes sparkled like he’d just found buried treasure.
“Katie! Honey! Get ready — we’re going to the next town over!” he shouted, holding something behind his back.
A happy man coming home | Source: Freepik
“What on earth are you talking about?” I asked, setting down my tea. “What’s going on?”
“Look!” he said, pulling a dusty old bottle out from behind him. The glass was foggy, but I could see a yellowed piece of paper curled inside.
I stared at him, then at the bottle. “What is that?”
“It’s a letter!” he said, practically buzzing with excitement. “I found it out on the lake! You won’t believe what it says.”
A bottle with a note | Source: Freepik
Tom and I have been married for twelve years, and life with him has always been a little unpredictable. He’s the kind of guy who can turn a simple walk into an adventure. I’m the opposite. Careful, steady, always thinking things through.
But somehow, we balance each other out.
A couple talking | Source: Pexels
What we both share, though, is a love for stories. Whether it’s a mystery novel, a family tale, or even a rumor in town, we’re both suckers for a good narrative. That’s probably why I didn’t stop him right away when he said we needed to drive to another town because of a letter in a bottle.
Still, I wasn’t about to let him drag me into something ridiculous without knowing more. “All right,” I said, crossing my arms. “What’s so important that you’re ready to drive twenty miles for it?”
Couple having a serious talk | Source: Pexels
Tom’s grin grew even wider. “You have to read it to believe it.”
Tom plopped down in his favorite chair, the bottle clutched in his hands like it was the most precious thing in the world. “So, there I was,” he started, “out by the reeds on the north side of the lake. You know the spot?”
I nodded.
A couple having an argument | Source: Pexels
“I was reeling in my line when I saw this thing bobbing in the water. At first, I thought it was just trash, but when I got closer, I saw the paper inside. I nearly tipped the boat getting it! Just listen.” He pulled the cork from the bottle and carefully slid out the brittle paper.
The letter was faded, the edges crumbling slightly, but the words were still readable. Tom cleared his throat and began:
An old letter | Source: Pexels
“My friends called me “The Joker.” That was my code name in our gang. I will probably die tomorrow. I have no relatives, and all my friends betrayed me. We recently robbed a jewelry store, and all the jewelry is now in my basement. I want it to go to the person who found this message. Congratulations, lucky guy!”
Tom looked up at me, his face alight with excitement. “Can you believe it?”
A man reading a letter | Source: Freepik
I blinked. “Wait… What? A gang? Jewelry? Are you serious?”
“That’s what it says!” he replied, holding the letter out to me.
I took it, scanning the words myself. The handwriting was shaky, almost desperate, and the whole thing sent a shiver down my spine. “Tom, this could be a prank. Or… I don’t know, shouldn’t we call the police?”
A woman reading a letter | Source: Pexels
“No way,” he said, shaking his head. “This is our story now! We’re going to the house in the letter!”
“Tom!” I exclaimed. “We don’t even know if the house is still there—or if any of this is real!”
“Only one way to find out,” he said, standing up and grabbing his keys.
I sighed, holding the letter tightly. Tom was stubborn, and once he got an idea in his head, there was no stopping him. Against my better judgment, I grabbed my jacket.
A couple getting ready to leave | Source: Pexels
“Fine,” I said, glaring at him. “But if this turns out to be nothing, you’re buying me dinner.”
“Deal,” he said, already halfway out the door.
The house stood before us like something out of an old ghost story—its paint chipped, windows cloudy, and the yard overgrown with weeds. “Well,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady, “this definitely fits the description of ‘rundown.’”
A rundown house | Source: Pexels
Tom grinned, unfazed by the eerie sight. “Come on, Katie. Where’s your sense of adventure?”
“Back in the car,” I muttered.
The front door creaked as Tom pushed it open, revealing a dim, dusty interior. The air was thick with the smell of mildew, and the wooden floors groaned under each step. Faded wallpaper peeled from the walls, and the shadows seemed to stretch endlessly.
An abandoned house | Source: Pexels
Tom waved his flashlight around. “Let’s find the basement doors,” he said, his voice full of excitement.
“Sure,” I replied, glancing over my shoulder. “Let’s just ignore the fact that this place could collapse on us at any second.”
A woman in an abandoned house | Source: Freepik
We found the basement doors exactly where the letter had said they would be. They were old and heavy, their brass handles tarnished with age. Tom knelt down and began tapping on the floorboards near the doors.
“This better not be a wild goose chase,” I said, crossing my arms.
A man searching the floor | Source: Midjourney
“Trust me,” Tom replied, grinning as he pried up a loose board. His eyes lit up as he pulled out an old, rusty key. “Jackpot.”
I swallowed hard, my stomach twisting with a mix of fear and curiosity. “Are we really doing this?”
Without answering, Tom slid the key into the lock. It resisted for a moment before finally turning with a loud click. He gave me a triumphant look before pulling the doors open.
A man holding a rusty key | Source: Pexels
The hinges groaned loudly, the sound echoing through the house. A rush of stale, cold air hit us, carrying the scent of dirt and something faintly metallic.
“After you,” I said, gesturing toward the dark abyss.
Tom laughed nervously. “Ladies first?”
“No way.”
An old rusty door | Source: Pexels
He started down the narrow staircase, his flashlight beam cutting through the darkness. I followed closely, clutching the railing as the wooden steps creaked under our weight. The basement was damp, with cobwebs hanging from the low ceiling. They were so dense they almost looked like curtains. Dust floated in the air, glinting in the flashlight’s beam.
Tom shined the light across the room, revealing dusty shelves and piles of old boxes. “Let’s look around,” he said.
An old basement | Source: Pexels
“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this,” I muttered, brushing a cobweb off my sleeve.
As we scanned the basement, something on the far wall caught my eye—a folded piece of paper pinned to a wooden beam. “Tom,” I said, pointing.
He hurried over and pulled it free. “It’s another letter!”
“Wait,” I said, grabbing his arm. “Maybe we should think about this.”
A folded note | Source: Midjourney
But Tom was already unfolding the paper. His flashlight beam danced across the handwritten words as he read aloud:
“Looking for easy money? Hahaha. The only thing true in my letter was that my friends called me THE JOKER! Hahaha.”
Tom’s voice trailed off, and we stared at each other in stunned silence.
A man reading a note | Source: Freepik
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I finally said, throwing up my hands. “All of this—for a prank?!”
Tom let out a laugh, one of those uncontrollable ones that you get when you’re both frustrated and amazed. “It’s kind of brilliant, don’t you think?”
As we made our way back to the car, an elderly man emerged from the neighboring house, leaning on a cane. He waved and shuffled toward us.
An elderly man outside of his house | Source: Pexels
“You two find what you were looking for?” he asked, his voice raspy but kind.
“Not exactly,” Tom replied. “Do you know who used to live here?”
The man smiled, his eyes twinkling. “Oh, you must’ve found one of Harold’s little pranks.”
“Harold?” I asked.
Smiling elderly man | Source: Pexels
“Yep,” the man said with a chuckle. “Harold lived here for decades. We all called him ‘The Joker.’ He was always pulling stunts—fake treasure maps, phony letters, stuff like that. Kept us on our toes. Died about five years ago, though.”
I glanced at Tom, who was grinning ear to ear. “Sounds like he was quite the character.”
“Oh, he was,” the man said. “Always said life was too short to take seriously. Looks like he got you two good!”
A laughing man in a black suit | Source: Pexels
We laughed with him, and for a moment, I could almost picture Harold, somewhere out there, having a good chuckle at our expense.
Liked this story? Consider checking out this one: A freezing night and a simple act of kindness brought a homeless man named Jeff into Ellie’s home and her life. But as their bond grew, an unexpected discovery unraveled secrets from the past.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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