NBC’s Friends is one of the most beloved TV sitcoms that changed the trajectory of pop culture since its advent. Packed with unforgettable characters, storylines, and guest stars, the show still owns a piece of the hearts of millions of fans out there. However, it might come as a surprise to know that not every guest actor who appeared on the show was thrilled about it at first. American actor Adam Goldberg, known for playing Chandler Bing’s eccentric roommate Eddie, was one of them.Adam Goldberg, known for working on projects like A Beautiful Mind, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Zodiac, Once Upon a Time in Venice, The Unusuals, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Taken, and more, revealed that he almost lost the chance to be a part of the hit sitcom because he was a “snob.” Ouch—interesting, right?
How Adam Goldberg’s snobby moment almost cost him his ‘Friends’ role
A still of Eddie Menuek from Friends | Credits: NBC.
Adam Goldberg’s Eddie Menuek was quite a memorable character on Friends. He was introduced in the second season (episode- The One Where Eddie Moves In) after Joey (played by Matt LeBlanc) moved out of Chandler’s apartment, having gotten a more spacious place himself. What began as Chandler’s (played by Matthew Perry) attempt to move on from Joey quickly turned into a major disaster when he realized Eddie was struggling with mental health issues.The Eddie storyline stretched over three episodes, keeping the show’s fans entertained and laughing along the way. Eventually Adam Goldberg’s journey on Friends came to an end after Chandler managed to outsmart Eddie by convincing him that he never actually lived with him, bringing the chaotic chapter to a hilarious close in the episode The One Where Eddie Won’t Go.
Related: FRIENDS Actor Adam Goldberg is Right about the Show Lacking in Diversity But His Other Criticism about Monica and Rachel’s Apartment is the Red Flag NBC Shouldn’t Have Ignored
Goldberg did an amazing job at playing the peculiar Eddie in NBC’s iconic sitcom, but he almost lost his chance to do it because of what he calls his own snobbish behavior. In 2024, the actor revealed that he almost did not audition for the part during an interview with The Independent, calling himself a “snob” while at it. Adam Goldberg recalled,
I was a snob. I remember very specifically getting the call from my agent and them saying they were offering me this part, and that it started maybe two days later – everything’s always very fast in that world because you’re shooting an episode a week,” he said. “And I was like, ‘No way. I’m not doing that show’. And my agent was like, ‘Yes, you are’.
Why Adam Goldberg initially hesitated and how his Friends experience turned around
Adam Goldberg in a still | Credits: @adamgoldbergdilettante/Facebook
Just as they say, “You jump just when you fear the most.” (Yes, a little dramatic but its fits.) Adam Goldberg’s initial hesitation about joining Friends quickly turned into one of his memorable roles for him and his fans.
Related: Johnny Depp Had One Iconic FRIENDS Cast Member Swooning Over His Insane Talent
In the same interview, Goldberg admitted that one of his exes had guest-appeared in the pilot episode of Friends, which made him go all “rooting to hate the show” at first. Despite what he planned, the actor made it on the show and admits that it was great working for the sitcom.
When asked for his fond memories on Friends, especially with Matthew Perry, Adam Goldberg said,
When you’re working with somebody like [Matthew Perry], who has such great comedy chops, your game just gets elevated […] you play better if you’re playing somebody really good. And with Matt, it was always like having a great rally.
Goldberg added that the Friends cast were especially welcoming and accommodating, making the whole experience even better.
Friends is now available to stream on Max and Hulu (USA).
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
