“I got it covered”: Matt LeBlanc Became the Face of a Famous Ketchup Brand Before Friends Fame
American actor Matt LeBlanc started his career in the Hollywood entertainment industry in 1987. He rose to worldwide recognition with his portrayal of Joey Tribbiani in the NBC sitcom Friends that aired for ten seasons, from 1994 to 2004. He went on to star in numerous other movies such as Charlie’s Angels and its sequel Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, and Lost in Space.
None of the six lead actors in Friends were famous when they were cast in the sitcom. Matt LeBlanc was no exception. In fact, just like Courteney Cox he too had started his acting career by starring in a commercial. The commercial keeps resurfacing on the internet from time to time and serves as a reminder of LeBlanc’s modest beginning.
Matt LeBlanc Appeared in The Commercial of a Popular Ketchup Brand
When it comes to ketchup, the American food processing company Heinz is one of the most sought-after brands for the condiment. In 1987, it was Matt LeBlanc who appeared in the commercial for the Heinz ketchup. Everyone has to get their start somewhere and this was where LeBlanc got his.
In the commercial in question, uploaded by xlogold on YouTube, the Lookin’ Italian actor is seen as a man who craves a hot dog. However, he seems to be too cool to be having his snack with the hot dog vendor’s ketchup. So, he sets up the bottle of Heinz ketchup in such a way that the ketchup would drip down and land perfectly on the hot dog.
The commercial ends with a dimple and a wink from Matt LeBlanc, and it probably could not have had a better ending that that. Perhaps, it was this charisma and suave charm that got the actor the role of Joey Tribbiani in Friends, which continues to win the hearts of million of people across the world even after almost two decades since the airing of its last episode.
Matt LeBlanc Took A Five-year-long Break From Acting
No one had any idea about what Friends future was going to be, and no one would have certainly thought that it would become the smash hit it is today. It brought all of the six lead actors unparalled success in their acting careers. However, after the sitcom ended, things took a sharp turn for Matt LeBlanc who decided to take a break from acting.
The reason for the five-year-long break from acting was burn out because of playing the same character for ten years. While talking to Mirror, Matt LeBlanc said:
“For years and years, I barely left the house. 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’. It was a very dark time. I almost had a nervous breakdown.”
When LeBlanc’s face did not show up on the screen in anything apart from Friends, many started to wonder where he disappear. Thankfully, the actor decided to do what he felt was the best for him and was back as a co-host on BBC’s Top Gear.
