Hank Azaria Almost Had A Very Different Role On Friends Prior To Playing Phoebe's Love Interest

Publish date: 2024-04-15

Hank Azaria almost had a very different role on Friends prior to he was once employed to play Phoebe's love interest. When celebrities audition for roles in a film or TV show, sometimes they're going to audition for one role, then to find themselves cast as a different persona. While now not each celebrity might like the alternate, it seems it has labored out for some.

Related: Friends: Relationships Of The Main Cast Ranked From Stupid To Soulmates

Placing certain celebrities in sure roles is helping create a positive chemistry with the overall cast of characters. One explanation why Friends stays so well-liked turns out to be as a result of the simple chemistry between the main forged. But what if the main cast of Friends had been different? Prior to playing Phoebe's love interest, Hank Azaria almost had a very different role on Friends.

Azaria Was Hired To Play Phoebe's Love Interest On The Show

Several celebrities appear on Friends, some as a attainable love interest for a member of the principle solid. The primary solid contributors of the display incorporated: Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry, Lisa Kudrow, Jennifer Aniston and Matt LeBlanc.

Although Hank Azaria did not get the part he in point of fact sought after on Friends, Joey Tribbiani's character, he used to be ready to land every other nice role on the display. He played Lisa Kudrow's love interest, David, the scientist guy. Kudrow portrayed one of the vital main characters, Phoebe Buffay, on the show.

Although David and Phoebe meet in the first season, he has to depart to pass to Minsk. And although Azaria thought David would be with Phoebe in the end, some other personality ended up stealing her middle.

When the America's Sweethearts actor spoke with the HuffPost about "whether he knew it would be the end of David's arc when he went to Minsk," he responded, "No, I didn't know that was the end of David. The plan always was kind of to bring him back."

Related: Lisa Kudrow Says She Became Friends' Phoebe Buffay Because No One Else Could Handle The Audition

Azaria does appear on the display once more after season one, but he had thought his character can be brought again to be with Phoebe for just right. However, Phoebe chooses Mike, played by means of Paul Rudd.

Hank Azaria Almost Played Joey On Friends

Friends remains a well-liked show, even if it is been off the air for over a decade. It's onerous to imagine somebody else in the principle forged rather then the stars who play the primary characters. However, many celebrities, including Hank Azaria, auditioned for the show, knowing it would be a hit.

Throughout the nineties Azaria labored on more than a few TV shows and flicks, together with Herman's Head and The Simpsons. When other folks had been auditioning for the main cast of Friends, Azaria concept he could be best possible for Joey Tribbiani's character.

Azaria discussed how he initially saw himself in the role with HuffPost. "That's the only job I ever auditioned for twice. I thought it was so good - they had rejected me once - I said, 'I’m going back, I'm gonna do it again, I'm gonna try it again.'" Unfortunately for Azaria, he was turned down again.

According to YardBarker, Azaria said, "I bowled my way back in for a second time. And they were very kind and watched my audition and then threw me out. Spoiler alert: I didn't get the role of Joey. But then they were kind enough to have me back as David, the scientist guy."

After losing the role to Matt LeBlanc, the Mystery Men actor nonetheless felt he would were your best option for Joey's persona. "At first, in my opinion, in the first few episodes of Friends he hadn't really found it. And all that first season I was like, 'I could've been funnier than him!'"

It wasn't long before Azaria had to agree that Matt LeBlanc was easiest for the role. He mentioned, "He (LeBlanc) really found himself in that role." And even though the Godzilla actor didn't get the role he first of all sought after on the show, Azaria played any other character on Friends.

How Did Azaria Feel About His Character Arc On Friends?

Numerous celebrities have gave the impression on hit TV presentations as visitor stars, but not all of them enjoyed their time on certain shows. Others may no longer have favored their characters, or how their personality's tale ended.

On Friends, Paul Rudd's persona, Mike, ends up with Phoebe Buffay. Hank Azaria could not lend a hand however feel a little disappointed that his character, David, did not. The Simpsons actor advised the HuffPost how he felt about his character not finishing up with Phoebe.

"It actually did sting a little bit. Whatever part of me is David the science guy who went to Minsk, which admittedly is probably a small part of me [laughs], but that part of me wanted to end up with Phoebe. So I was sort of sad when I didn't."

However, The Simpsons actor did agree that Rudd's persona was excellent for Phoebe. He stated, "He certainly has gone on to prove that he was comedically deserving of Phoebe's love."

"He's a handsome devil. He's actually annoyingly handsome. He shouldn't really be allowed to be that handsome. He's like the Tom Brady of comedy."

Related: 'Friends': The 10 Best Phoebe Episodes

According to Radio Times, some of the display's co-creators, David Crane, said both Rudd and Azaria worked well with Lisa Kudrow. "They're both amazing actors. I mean, both Paul [Rudd] and Hank [Azaria] are fantastic, and fantastic with her."

"We sort of went back and forth (on who she would end up with). I don't even remember all the pieces that led to where we landed, but yeah, it could have gone the other way. Phoebe would have been great with either one."

Azaria mentioned his persona, David, now not getting Phoebe after all. "I think, honestly, what happened was Paul Rudd is so awesome that they sort of found a groove with him and [my character] became more of just the grist for that mill. As opposed to the other way around."

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