Highlights
- Matt LeBlanc’s transition from Hollywood fame to a quieter life has left fans curious as he takes a break from acting.
- LeBlanc has contemplated permanent retirement, expressing his desire to do “nothing” and “zero” in the future.
- The loss of close friends, including rally driver Ken Block and co-star Matthew Perry, may further influence LeBlanc’s decision to remain out of the spotlight.
Matt LeBlanc’s shift from Hollywood’s center stage to a quieter life away from the limelight has left many fans curious. Best known for his role as Joey Tribbiani on the iconic sitcom Friends, the actor didn’t exactly rest on his laurels when the series concluded.
LeBlanc’s career continued to evolve post-Friends, as he took on a more self-referential role in Episodes, earning him a Golden Globe and multiple Emmy nominations. His versatility also shone through as he shifted gears to co-host Top Gear, and he charmed audiences as the lovable Adam Burns in Man with a Plan.
Yet, this transition wasn’t all smooth sailing. After the decade-long run of Friends, LeBlanc faced personal challenges, admitting to a period of intense struggle that he described as a ‘nervous breakdown.’ In a move that shocked many, he stepped back, turning down work and even not responding to his agent.
Man with a Plan would become the last regular role LeBlanc took on before it ended in 2020, marking the end of a steady stream of television appearances. This article aims to explore his transition from a high-profile actor to a more reserved figure. How did a star who was once at the apex of his career choose to retreat from Hollywood’s glare?
Matt LeBlanc Took Another Break From Acting In The Recent Years
Matt LeBlanc ventured beyond his Friends fame with a few notable roles. On the big screen, he stepped behind the camera as an executive producer for the 2010 film Jonah Hex. The Western action picture was inspired by the similarly-titled DC Comics character.
Back in front of the camera, LeBlanc shifted to romantic comedy with his role as Charlie Darby in Lovesick. Despite his efforts, the film didn’t resonate well with critics. A review on The New York Times commented that the movie had “given Matt LeBlanc’s reputation a relapse.”
This endeavor, coupled with his reprise of Joey Tribbiani in the short-lived spin-off Joey, marked his post-Friends path before he decided to pause his acting career. In a candid moment at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Gala, LeBlanc spoke to ET about his current life choices.
“I’m taking some time off right now,” LeBlanc shared, revealing his enjoyment of the leisure that came with his break from acting. “I’m just enjoying not having to do anything—it’s been kinda nice. Sorry, I’ll let you know when I do,” he added, assuring fans he’d keep them in the loop about any future endeavors.
Matt LeBlanc Also Spoke About The Potential Of Retiring Permanently
Matt LeBlanc has openly contemplated the idea of stepping away from acting for good. Speaking to Conan O’Brien in 2017, he mused about retirement as his 50th birthday approached. He fantasized about a future with absolutely no agenda: “I would like to retire earlier rather than later because I would like to do not a f****** thing,” said LeBlanc. “That’s what I would like to do. Just nothing. Nothing. Zero.”
Since that candid interview, LeBlanc’s presence on screen has been limited. Man with a Plan marked his sole acting commitment in that time, at least as of November 2023. However, he hasn’t disappeared from television entirely.
He took on the challenge of presenting Top Gear for four series, sharing his passion for cars with a global audience. He also appeared as himself in Friends: The Reunion, which streamed on HBO Max on May 27, 2021.
On the personal front, LeBlanc has also navigated significant changes. At the beginning of 2015, he announced that his relationship with Andrea Anders had ended after more than eight years together. This wasn’t his first public breakup, either; in October 2006, he divorced his then wife, Melissa McKnight.
Matt LeBlanc Has Suffered The Loss Of Two Close Friends
For fans who are still hoping to see Matt LeBlanc return to major acting roles soon, their dreams might yet be put off by some heavy personal losses he has endured. The death of Ken Block, a well-known rally driver and co-founder of DC Shoes, came as a shock. Block died in January 2023, following a snowmobile accident near his home in Utah at the age of 55.
LeBlanc, who shared a love for motorsports with Block, expressed his grief on Instagram, saying, “So saddened by the loss of Ken Block. A true talent and friend taken far too soon. You will be missed by all who had the pleasure of meeting you, my friend. My condolences to your family.”
In a further blow, the Friends community has been mourning the loss of Matthew Perry. LeBlanc and Perry weren’t just co-stars; they were known for their on-screen chemistry, often improvising and teasing each other in scenes of the popular sitcom. While it remains uncertain if LeBlanc will return to active Hollywood work, his past comments and the sad losses so close to home suggest that he might find more comfort remaining off the map.
Source: NewsFinale
