Matt LeBlanc Through The Years: Celebrate The ‘Friends’ Star’s 56th Birthday With Photos From His Young Days

By:

Christina Casiano

July 25, 2023 10:30AM EDT

How you doin? It’s Matt LeBlanc’s birthday, so let’s celebrate the one and only Joey Tribbiani with photos of the star from the 90s to now!

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Matt LeBlanc: Through The Years

Matt LeBlanc: Through The Years — Matt LeBlanc is a beloved comedy actor best known by far for playing Joey Tribbiani on the iconic sitcom ‘Friends’. But Matt’s career started long before that. The actor had a small, but memorable role on ‘Married… with Children’ that led to his own spinoff in 1991, ‘Top of the Heap’.

From there, his star power grew. He landed his ‘Friends’ role in 1994, playing hilarious soap star Joey for nearly a decade. He gained acclaim again years later by portraying a satirical version of himself in the Showtime series ‘Episodes’.

Here, you can see Matt playing Vinnie Verducci in the 1991 sitcom ‘Top of the Heap’, a show about his ‘Married… with Children’ character. The show unfortunately lasted just two seasons (the second season renamed ‘Vinnie & Bobby’).

To see more photos of Matt LeBlanc throughout his career, scroll through this gallery!

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Matt LeBlanc in ‘Top Of The Heap’

Matt LeBlanc in ‘Top Of The Heap’ — A young Matt LeBlanc poses in a publicity photo for the TV series ‘Top of the Heap’. This was back in 1991, years before ‘Friends’ began.

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Matt LeBlanc in a Promotional Photo

Matt LeBlanc in a Promotional Photo — Matt LeBlanc poses for an undated portrait. The actor looked handsome in his dark button down and light washed jeans.

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Matt LeBlanc

Matt LeBlanc — Matt LeBlanc in his ‘Friends’ days! He’s gone full Joey Tribbiani with his floppy hair and outfit.

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Matt LeBlanc in ‘Ed’

Matt LeBlanc in ‘Ed’ — Matt LeBlanc poses with his co-star, a baseball-playing chimpanzee, in the ’90s comedy ‘Ed’. Yes, they’re on the same team.

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Matt LeBlanc at ‘Lost In Space’ Premiere

Matt LeBlanc at ‘Lost In Space’ Premiere — Matt LeBlanc looks sharp at the 1998 premiere of his sci-fi movie ‘Lost in Space’. The film came out during his ‘Friends’ days.

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Matt LeBlanc in ‘Lost In Space’

Matt LeBlanc in ‘Lost In Space’ — Matt LeBlanc as Major Don West in 1998’s ‘Lost in Space’. The film was based on the iconic 1960s show of the same name.

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Matt LeBlanc at 2002 Teen Choice Awards

Matt LeBlanc at 2002 Teen Choice Awards — Matt LeBlanc accepts the award for Choice TV Actor, Comedy at the 2002 Teen Choice Awards. It was for playing Joey on ‘Friends’, duh!

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Matt LeBlanc in ‘Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle’

Matt LeBlanc in ‘Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle’ — Matt LeBlanc is seen here playing Jason Gibbons (Lucy Liu’s boyfriend) in 2002’s ‘Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle’. Spoiler alert: he and Lucy live happily ever after.

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Matt LeBlanc’s Goatee

Matt LeBlanc’s Goatee — Matt LeBlanc debuts his goatee in this 2002 portrait taken in Vienna, Austria… for some reason. It’s quite a choice.

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Matt LeBlanc at 2004 Emmys

Matt LeBlanc at 2004 Emmys — Matt LeBlanc presents an award at the 2004 Emmys. He rocked a classic black suit and shoes for the occasion.

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Matt LeBlanc at 2012 TCAs

Matt LeBlanc at 2012 TCAs — Matt LeBlanc shows off his buff arms during the 2012 CBS Showtime and CW Party at the TCA Summer Tour. At the time, he was on ‘Episodes.’

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Matt LeBlanc in ‘Episodes’

Matt LeBlanc in ‘Episodes’ — Matt LeBlanc is seen here playing a satirical version of himself in the Showtime series ‘Episodes’. This particular episode aired in 2012.

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Matt LeBlanc at 2012 Golden Globes

Matt LeBlanc at 2012 Golden Globes — Winner! Actor Matt LeBlanc poses backstage with the award for Best Actor in a TV Series, Comedy or Musical for ‘Episodes’ at the 2012 Golden Globes.

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Matt LeBlanc at 2013 Emmy Nominees Reception

Matt LeBlanc at 2013 Emmy Nominees Reception — Matt LeBlanc arrives at the 2013 Emmy Awards Nominee Reception in LA. He was rocking a grey beard at this point!

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Matt LeBlanc at a Showtime Event

Matt LeBlanc at a Showtime Event — Matt LeBlanc looked dapper in a three-piece, dark grey suit while walking the red carpet at the 2015 Showtime Comedy Series Premiere Event. At the time, he was on ‘Episodes’.

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Matt LeBlanc at 2016 TCAs

Matt LeBlanc at 2016 TCAs — Matt LeBlanc smiles wide while attending the 2016 CBS TCAs party. His plaid suit was so cool!

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Matt LeBlanc In 2017

Matt LeBlanc In 2017 — Matt LeBlanc poses for a portrait in Beverly Hills in 2017. He looked casual in a blue sweater and slacks.

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Matt LeBlanc Celebrates The ‘Episodes’ Finale

Matt LeBlanc Celebrates The ‘Episodes’ Finale — Matt LeBlanc attends an event to celebrate the fifth and final season of Episodes, in 2017. He looked somewhat solemn on the carpet.

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Matt LeBlac & Stacy Keach

Matt LeBlac & Stacy Keach — Veteran actor Stacy Keach is supported by Matt LeBlanc during the unveiling ceremony of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on July 31, 2019. The ‘Friends’ star was dapper in a light suit.

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Matt LeBlac Arrives At ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’

Matt LeBlac Arrives At ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ — Matt LeBlanc arrives for a 2019 appearance on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ on Mar. 13. Looking casual, he had on jeans and sunglasses with a bit of a salt and pepper beard.

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The ‘Friends’ Reunion

The ‘Friends’ Reunion — Best ‘Friends’ forever! The core cast of the NBC sitcom reunited in 2021, amid the thick of the covid pandemic, to look back on the series. Matt LeBlac, far left, reminces besides Matthew Perry, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, and Lisa Kudrow.

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Matt LeBlanc Hugs Courteney Cox

Matt LeBlanc Hugs Courteney Cox — Reunited and it feels so good! Matt LeBlac wrapped Courteney Cox in a huge hug during the ‘Friends’ reunion special, which was released in May of 2021.

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