Apart from FRIENDS, Matt LeBlanc had the chance to join another immensely popular show in the late 2000s, Modern Family. Surprisingly, LeBlanc, post-Joey, turned down the opportunity to portray the iconic character of Phil Dunphy. Considering his prior association with Joey, it’s intriguing to contemplate now what might have been if he had taken on the role instead of Ty Burrell.
Also Read: “I Am Not Kidding About This”: Matthew Perry Had Recurring Nightmares About FRIENDS
Matt Leblanc Was Almost Phil Dunphy in Modern Family!
Prior to casting Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy in Modern Family, ABC initially eyed Joey actor Matt LeBlanc for the role of the comedic and quirky father figure. In an interview with USA Today, LeBlanc disclosed the behind-the-scenes details of what occurred during that period. He said,
“I remember reading it thinking, this is a really good script, (but) I’m not the guy for this. I’d be doing the project an injustice to take this. I know what I can do, I know what I can’t do. Plus, I’m having too much fun laying on the couch.”
Turns out the actor declined the opportunity as he didn’t believe he would fit the character well, and to some degree, he was correct. Despite being an outstanding actor, having previously portrayed Joey, audiences might have struggled to differentiate between the two characters, potentially diminishing the charm of the role. This paved the way for Ty Burrell to step into the part, and he truly nailed it, doing absolute justice to the character.
Matt LeBlanc Instead Enjoyed Some Much-Deserved Time off on His Couch
Following the unsuccessful run of the FRIENDS spinoff Joey, Matt LeBlanc acknowledged that he learned a lesson or two. The actor realized that the Modern Family character simply didn’t reflect him. Despite loving the script, he sensed that it was tailored for someone specific, and therefore, declined the opportunity. Furthermore, he was tired. He revealed to The Mirror,
“I was burnt out. I wanted to not have a schedule, not be somewhere. I was in a position to do that. 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,”
While the script was being offered to him, LeBlanc was focusing on a much-deserved hiatus from the camera after starring for numerous years in one of the world’s most renowned and beloved series. This break from the spotlight led him to exercise extreme caution before committing to any new projects. He then made a comeback again in 2020.
