- Matt LeBlanc
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Matt LeBlanc 
LeBlanc in 2010Born Matthew Steven LeBlanc
July 25, 1967
Newton, Massachusetts, U.S.Occupation Actor, producer Years active 1987–present Spouse 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.
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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 French-Canadian descent.[citation needed]
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".[2]
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.[3][4] The series is written by Friends co-creator David Crane and his partner Jeffrey Klarik.[5]
Personal life
In May 2003, LeBlanc married Melissa McKnight, an ex-model.[6] 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.[6] 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.[6]
In June 2005, LeBlanc admitted to "careless and irresponsible" behavior with a stripper during a motorcycle trip to Canada.[6] LeBlanc and McKnight separated on January 1, 2006.[6][7] By that time, LeBlanc was involved in a relationship with actress Andrea Anders, who played his neighbor on Joey.[7] In March of that year, LeBlanc filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce became final on October 6, 2006.[7]
Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes 1990 Anything to Survive Billy Barton Television film
as Matthew LeBlanc1993 Grey Knight Terhune US video title: Ghost Brigade
International title: The Killing Box1993 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 1995 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Friends Won 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 Nominated References
- ^ Matt LeBlanc Biography, FilmReference.com
- ^ "Bon Jovi - Say It Isn' So". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRSB-QZHpXM. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
- ^ Rampton, James (January 6, 2011). "Episodes: The one where Matt LeBlanc plays himself...". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/episodes-the-one-where-matt-leblanc-plays-himself-2177012.html. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- ^ "Matt LeBlanc Spoofs Himself On Comedy ‘Episodes’". access hollywood. January 4, 2011. http://www.accesshollywood.com/matt-leblanc-pokes-fun-at-the-world-of-tv-friends-and-himself-on-showtimes-episodes_article_41726. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- ^ Parks, Tim (September 30, 2009). "LeBlanc to star as himself on 'Episodes'". Digital Spy. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/a179903/leblanc-to-star-as-himself-on-episodes.html. 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. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1180477,00.html. Retrieved March 27, 2009.
External links
Categories:- 1967 births
- Actors from Massachusetts
- American film actors
- American television actors
- American people of French descent
- Living people
- Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Screen Actors Guild Award winners
- People from Newton, Massachusetts
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
