Matt LeBlanc

Role: Joey Tribbiani

Born in July 25, 1967, Matt LeBlanc is very well known for his character Joey Tribbiani, in the series Friends and Joey.

Matt was born to an Italian mother and a father who is a mix of Irish, Dutch, English and French. That's why, his last name, LeBlanc, is French, and means, "The White", while his character Joey, has an Italian last name. When he was a kid, he was interested in motorcycling, more than in acting. At the age of 8 he got his first motorcycle, and stated to participate in competitions. But his mother didn't like the idea and forced him to find a better career. He learned carpentry.

He graduated from his local high - Newton North High School, in the year 1985. That's when he wanted to make himself a life in New York. Starting 1987, he began appearing on many commercials, making him famous. He managed to advertise many companies, and one commercial was even won the Gold Lion Award at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival.

In the year 1988 he started learning formal acting. Less than a year later, a got his first starring role as Chuck Bender in the TV series TV 101. By then, he moved to Los Angeles. He guest-starred on Red Shoe Diaries.

He also appeared on several movies, not being a real success comparing his Television career. Some of them were: The Killing Box (1993), Ed (1996), Lookin' Italian (1998), and All The Queen's Men (1999).

In the year 1994 he jumped into the knowledge on millions around the world in the award-winning comedy Friends. He starred there for 10 years, as Joey Tribbiani, the woman-chaser friend, who cares about his 5 friends as no-one else in the world.

Friends ended in 2004, and from there he continued to Joey, the only Friends's daughter series so far. He is again Joey Tribbiani, who went to Hollywood to succeed in the entertainment world. Joey currently airs its 2nd season.

He was nominated for innumerable awards for his roles in Friends and in Joey, and won 3 of them: Favorite Male Television Star in People's Choice Award (2005), TV - Choice Actor, Comedy in Teen Choice Awards (2002), and Editor's Choice (as part of Friends) in TV Guide Awards (2000).

Matt has married Melissa McKnight on May 3, 2003, after being engaged for 5 years. They have a shared daughter, Marina Pearl LeBlanc, who was born on February 8th, 2004. They also have two kids, Tyler and Jacquelyne, from Melissa's previous marriage.