It’s impossible for actors not to have a ‘worst audition’ story after years of trying out roles – but some stand out more than others.
Matt LeBlanc‘s worst audition landed him the role of Joey Tribbiani Friendsone of his most famous characters to this day.
“I remember going in a bunch of times and I think it was on the last call back. I had gone with a friend of mine to run the lines,” LeBlanc recalled during the highly anticipated Friends reunion, which debuted on HBOMax in May 2021. “And he said, ‘So the show is about friends and being friends? Just a group of friends?’ And I said, ‘Yes, quite!’ And he said, ‘Well, we gotta go drink.’ I thought, ‘Yes, that’s a good idea!’”
However, it turned out not to be such a good idea.
“Long story short, I woke up in the middle of the night in his apartment and had to go to the bathroom,” LeBlanc explained. “I got up too quickly and I can’t believe I’m telling this, but I blacked out – just like you – and fell face first into the toilet, hitting my nose on the bottom of the toilet seat , and a huge piece of meat came out of my nose. And I look in the mirror, it’s bleeding, and I think, ‘Oh, my God. I have to go in for the big callback and [there’s] a big ugly scab on my nose. ”
Coincidentally, the show’s co-creator, Marta Kaufmannfelt the story behind the injury was so true to Joey’s character that LeBlanc got the part.
Scroll down for more fascinating worst audition stories actors have shared from their past: