Matt LeBlanc
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Matt LeBlanc
Biography
Propelled to stardom in 1994 as a result of his role on the long-running, hit television series Friends, handsome Matt LeBlanc has been singled out for his finely tuned deadpan skills on the popular television mainstay, and it may come as no surprise that the actor who was voted one of the 50 most beautiful people alive by People magazine broke into show business as a model.Born July 25, 1967, in Newton, MA, LeBlanc dreamed of a career as a professional racer after receiving a motorbike at the age of eight. His mother's vocal objections voiced concern over the youngster's safety on the track, and the aspiring king-of-the-course and momma's boy soon began training to become a professional carpenter. Later graduating from high school and finding money in short supply, LeBlanc took his friends' suggestion of becoming a model to heart and, after selling his truck to pay the way, he headed for New York and began appearing in print and later, commercials. A role in a Heinz ketchup commercial which won the prestigious Gold Lion Award at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival brought the aspiring star more recognition, and it wasn't long before he began proper thespian training.
Scoring a role on the television series TV 101 found the fresh-faced actor relocating to sunny Los Angeles, and although the show was quickly canceled, LeBlanc continued with appearances in television's Married With Children and in such short-lived series as Top of the Heap and Vinny and Bobby in the early '90s. Following his breakthrough in Friends in 1994, Leblanc gained a reputation as somewhat of a party guy with a penchant for womanizing, though he would later deflect the image as he settled down in his marriage to Meliss McKnight. Numerous disputes over salary also brought the cast of Friends frequently into the public eye, and LeBlanc attempted to solidify a cinematic career with roles in such features as Ed (1996), Lost in Space (1998), and Charlie's Angels (2000). Though hobbies such as parachute jumping and car racing suggest that his thrill-seeking habits didn't die with the end of his motorbike racing aspirations, LeBlanc opted out of performing his own stunts after his double was injured during the filming of All the Queen's Men in 2001. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
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Matt LeBlanc
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Matt LeBlanc
| Matt LeBlanc | |
|---|---|
 LeBlanc in 2010 |
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| Born | Matthew Steven LeBlanc July 25, 1967 Newton, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor, producer |
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Spouse | Melissa McKnight (2003-2006; divorced; 1 child) |
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 BBC Two/Showtime television series created by Friends co-creator David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik. LeBlanc won a Golden Globe award for his work on Episodes, after being nominated three times for his work as Joey Tribbiani on Friends.
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Early life
LeBlanc was born in Newton, Massachusetts. His mother, Patricia (née Grossman), was an office manager, and his father, Paul LeBlanc, was a mechanic.[1] His mother was of Italian descent and his father was of French-Canadian ancestry.[2][3]
Career
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 the Alanis Morissette single "Walk Away". He also appeared in the last seconds of the music video for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' "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 series lasted seven episodes airing in April and May 1991. In 1994, he starred in Bob Seger's "Night Moves" music video.[4]
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".[5]
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.[6][7] The series is written by Friends co-creator David Crane and his partner Jeffrey Klarik.[8]. LeBlanc won the 2012 Golden Globe for Best Actor in a TV Series Comedy for his performance.[9] The second season of Episodes aired on BBC2 Friday, 11 May 2012.[10]
LeBlanc appeared in the second episode of the eighteenth series of Top Gear, where he set the fastest time of 1:42.1 in the Kia Cee'd, narrowly beating previous holder Rowan Atkinson by 0.1 seconds.[11]
Personal life
In May 2003, LeBlanc married Melissa McKnight, an ex-model.[12] 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.[12] 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.[12]
In June 2005, LeBlanc admitted to "careless and irresponsible" behavior with a stripper during a motorcycle trip to Canada.[12] LeBlanc and McKnight separated on January 1, 2006.[12][13] By that time, LeBlanc was involved in a relationship with actress Andrea Anders, who played his neighbor on Joey.[13] In March of that year, LeBlanc filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce became final on October 6, 2006.[13]
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–Present | Episodes | Fictional version of himself | 16 episodes |
| 2012 | Top Gear | Himself | 1 episode |
| 2012 | The Graham Norton Show | Himself, Guest | 2 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[14] | 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 |
| 2012 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actor in a TV Musical or Comedy | Episodes | Won |
References
- ^ Matt LeBlanc Biography, FilmReference.com
- ^ http://www.teentelevision.com/2003/05/05/matt-leblanc-wed-in-hawaii
- ^ LeBlanc's mother came from Italy, though his father is French-Canadian
- ^ "Episode 2". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01brd8t. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Nominations & Winners". Golden Globes website. http://www.goldenglobes.org/nominations/. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
- ^ http://www.tvequals.com/2012/03/15/weeds-season-8-and-episodes-season-2-announced/
- ^ "Episode 2". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01brd8t. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Matt LeBlanc Emmy Nominated
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