'Friends' Reunion & Cast Actor Matt LeBlanc Admits Nearly Suffering Nervous Breakdown When Series Ended

Former "Friends" star Matt LeBlanc confessed he almost had a nervous breakdown when his top-rated series ended over ten years ago. However, the actor is currently in a better place, with a new show and a reunion with his "Friends" co-star soon.

Speaking with Mirror, LeBlanc said that he tried to shun the limelight after playing Joey Tribbiani on "Friends" for ten years and in the spinoff series for two years. "I barely left the house. I was burnt out," he confessed. "I wanted to not have a schedule, not be somewhere. I was in a position to do that."

Earning a million per episode for "Friends" afforded LeBlanc to tell his agent not to book him for any work for a while. However, his life spiraled soon after as his three-year marriage to actress Melissa McKnight broke down. Their daughter, Marina, was also diagnosed with a brain condition at two-years-old around the same time.

"It was a very dark time. I almost had a nervous breakdown," the actor added.

Fortunately, his daughter overcame her illness and is now a healthy 11-year-old. These days, the father and daughter spend most of their time together going horseback riding and hiking. "Spending time with her is the best thing I've ever done. We have a great bond and it's the best thing in my life," LeBlanc said.

His relationship with Marina's mother also mended so that they amicably share custody in raising the child, reported Daily Mail.

By 2011, LeBlanc returned to the TV scene and starred in the cable series "Episodes," where he won a Golden Globes for Best Actor in 2012, New York Daily News reported.

This year, the actor is embarking on a new job as the host of the popular British motoring program, "Top Gear." On Feb. 4, "Friends" fans got the surprise of their life when the show made the official announcement on their website.

It should be noted that when Jeremy Clarkson used to host the program, LeBlanc appeared as guest more than once. He still holds "Top Gear's" highest lap time record among other celebrity guests.

Meanwhile, LeBlanc will be featured in a "Friends" reunion in an NBC special airing Feb. 21. He will be paying tribute to TV director James Burrows along with former co-stars David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow and Jennifer Aniston. However, Matthew Perry will not be in the event due to a pending commitment in London, Latinos Health previously reported.