They say opposites attract – just ask Felix and Oscar, Janine Teagues and Gregory Eddie, or for that matter, Joey Tribbiani and one of Hollywood’s most decorated dramatic actors.
The unlikely friendship between Friends star Matt LeBlanc and Oscar winner Gary Oldman is one of Hollywood’s best-kept secrets; and it all started on a spaceship. The two actors first crossed paths on the set of the 1998 sci-fi comedy Lost in Space, and the bond they formed there would change the course of Oldman’s television career in ways neither could have predicted. When a guest role came up on Friends – the most-watched sitcom on television – LeBlanc didn’t hesitate to call his friend.
“How did I end up in Friends? Matt LeBlanc!” Oldman revealed during a panel discussion at the Toronto International Film Festival on Thursday as first reported by Entertainment Weekly. “We became buddies, and the role came up. He said, ‘Would you like to do it?'”
That role was Richard Crosby, a pompous actor who appears in the beloved two-part episode “The One With Monica and Chandler’s Wedding” in 2001. For Oldman – known for intense, career-defining dramatic turns in films like Darkest Hour, The Profesional, and the Harry Potter franchise – the world of network sitcom production was a revelation.
“You come in on a Monday, do the read-through. Then they rewrite. On Friday, you blocked it. Friday afternoon, you shoot it in front of an audience. You’re done by five,” he recalled with obvious delight. “I thought, ‘I could get used to this!'”
View this post on Instagram
He was equally dazzled by the cast: Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, Courteney Cox, LeBlanc, and the late Matthew Perry, watching them navigate technical rehearsals with effortless ease. “It was like breathing for a little bit,” Oldman said warmly. “It was a wonderful experience.”
The guest stint earned Oldman his very first Emmy nomination – a milestone that traces directly back to a friendship forged in space. He has since earned three more consecutive Emmy nominations for his lead role in Apple’s thriller series Slow Horses, with the latest up for consideration at Monday night’s ceremony.
Not bad for a role that started with a phone call from Joey Tribbiani.
Leave a Reply