Hearing a name like Frank Grillo mumbled in Hollywood circles has a hypnotic effect. Not just any Hollywood circles, but the ones where destiny and ambition coexist, where the casting couch and the Marvel stage collide, and where a near-miss can become a fate that defines an entire universe. Some stories, the ones that hint at "what could have been" before taking a turn full of explosions, superheroes, and stunning career turns, are simply too good to pass right up.

While one missed audition could have rewritten sitcom history, it instead opened a door to action-packed universes and cinematic chaos that no laugh track could ever contain.

Before Matt LeBlanc was cast in the iconic role of Joey Tribbiani on Friends, Frank Grillo came surprisingly close to playing the character. On the Lights, Camera, Barstool podcast, he shared this story about how he was with a friend when a casting director asked him to read, even though he had no intention of auditioning. Although he did not end up getting the role, he realized acting could be his career after several callbacks and a test audition.

According to Grillo on Lights, Camera, Barstool, that near-miss put him on a completely different trajectory that resulted in darker, more action-packed roles. He became a fan favorite in genre TV and movies, from Prison Break to The Purge and even Marvel. Even though he never got to deliver Joey's well-known "How you doin'?" line, he cemented his place in the comic book universe when James Gunn cast him as Rick Flag Sr. in DC's Peacemaker and Creature Commandos.

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As Grillo traded sitcom charm for action-packed mayhem, fans revisited Joey’s legacy, realizing that even a seemingly flawless character can be subtly rewritten across a decade of laughs.

Following Frank Grillo's near-miss, Matt LeBlanc finally played Joey Tribbiani, leaving his adorable charm as a dimwit. His silly antics, never-ending dating mishaps, and sincere devotion won over viewers over the course of ten seasons. However, over time and with careful rewatching, fans discovered subtle continuity quirks, small changes in behavior or response that marginally changed the Joey they were familiar with, which led to discussions about whether television can ever really maintain a character's nostalgic appeal.

Joey was the silly, beloved center of the Friends cast from the very first season, contributing both humor and occasional wisdom. By season ten, keen viewers noticed moments that seemed out of character, like falling for Chandler’s well-worn pet-lie trick. Even the most recognizable characters will change over time, and these minor adjustments sparked debate among loyal viewers, demonstrating how nostalgia and story development frequently clash and transform a beloved sitcom star into a topic of critical examination.

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What are your thoughts on actors’ near-misses and the subtle evolution of iconic characters in shows like Friends? Let us know in the comments below.