A casting story resurfaced during a recent interview with a DCU actor. While discussing his career, the actor revealed that he once came close to joining Friends as Joey Tribbiani. The revelation shed light on how an unexpected audition nearly changed the trajectory of one of television’s most iconic sitcoms.
Frank Grillo almost played Joey in Friends
Over three decades ago, a casting agent noticed Frank Grillo while he accompanied a friend to an audition and asked him to read for the role.
Speaking on Lights, Camera, Barstool, Grillo explained, “And I did, and they called me back again. I didn’t have an agent or anything. And they called me back a third time, and then I went to do what was — it’s called a test — and I tested for it.”
Grillo said he believed the part was his at the time, noting, “At that point, I go, ‘This is easy. I’m gonna be an actor,’” though Matt LeBlanc ultimately secured the role. Grillo credited that moment as instrumental in his career path, inspiring him to pursue acting seriously. Despite not landing the sitcom role, he went on to build a career spanning television and film. His credits include Prison Break, The Purge, and Marvel Cinematic Universe projects.
His career expanded further when James Gunn cast him as Rick Flag Sr. in DC projects, debuting in the animated series Creature Commandos and reprising the role in Peacemaker Season 2. Grillo described how this character brought him full circle in his acting journey, portraying a grieving father facing off with John Cena’s Peacemaker. His role fueled the storyline with emotional weight, as Rick Flag Sr. sought revenge for his son’s death.
Though he missed out on one of television’s most iconic roles, Grillo emphasized that Matt LeBlanc was the right choice for Joey Tribbiani, calling him the “perfect” actor to play the role. Grillo built a different path instead, becoming known for action-driven performances and dramatic characters across multiple genres.
Friends, created by Marta Kauffman and David Crane, aired from 1994 to 2004 and remains available to stream on HBO Max.
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