David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc have been close friends for over 30 years, ever since they starred together as Ross and Joey on Friends. In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Schwimmer recalled a terrifying moment that occurred on set involving LeBlanc during filming.
While promoting the new season of Goosebumps, Schwimmer, a fan of horror, said the only time he was truly horrified was when LeBlanc dislocated his shoulder while filming an episode of Friends. Schwimmer described how LeBlanc, after performing a pratfall for a scene, turned pale and was in excruciating pain. “He went totally white, and I could see his shoulder was out. He looked like he was going to pass out,” Schwimmer recalled.
Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Schwimmer ran to the cameraman, urging him to cut the scene because LeBlanc was “badly hurt.” The filming was halted for the night, and LeBlanc was taken to the hospital. Schwimmer explained, “That was genuinely frightening. You could see how badly hurt he was.”
The incident took place during season 3 of Friends, in an episode where the characters are preparing for an event at Ross’ institution. During a fight for a chair between Chandler and Joey, LeBlanc’s character jumps over tables to get to a chair, accidentally dislocating his shoulder in the process. To explain LeBlanc’s injury in the storyline, the show’s writers included a scene where Joey falls off a bed and breaks his arm.
You can stream all episodes of Friends on the platform of your choice, while the new season of Goosebumps is now available on Hulu and Disney+ starting January 10.