Happy Birthday Matt LeBlanc: How Joey Tribbiani gave us the perfect 'Best Friend' goals!

Hollywood actor Matt LeBlanc turns 49 today and we couldn't be more excited about his birthday!

The star who still has his hotness quotient intact, is much loved for playing the character Joey Tribbiani in the all-time popular sitcom F.R.I.E.N.D.S. While playing the role of the daft Italian actor trying to make his mark in the world of television and films, Joey also gave us several lessons in friendship.

Monica, Rachel,  Phoebe, Ross, Chandler, and Joey were all great friends, but somehow, Joey always stood out. He was everyone's best friend and he proved this time and again. 

Here are some of our favourite moments when Joey was the perfect friend that you wished you had too! 

1) Joey & Ross

Joey and Ross were polar opposites. While Ross is a PhD, a geek, and the know-it-all; Joey didn't even finish college. But their friendship was still unique. 

Joey was the ultimate casanova, but when he finally did fall in love, he decided not to pursue it, for friendship. Joey buried his feelings for Rachel for the sake of Ross. Who would have done that, but a loyal friend!

2) Joey & Rachel

Remember that episode when in an attempt to put an end to the awkwardness between her and Joey, Rachel says that her boss was trying to buy her baby? How cute is Joey to blindly believe her and go up to her boss to give him an earful!

Also in Season 4, remember when Mr. Treeger made Rachel cry? Joey was the only one of the three boys to go up to him and give him a piece of his mind. But as a consequence to that, he had to dance with Treeger too!

3) Joey & Phoebe

On Phoebe's 30th birthday, she realises that she is actually 31. She then gets depressed because she still hasn't fulfilled all the goals she had listed out to do before she turned 31 - one of which is to have the perfect kiss! Of course our man Joey steps up and comes to the rescue, just so that Phoebe can tick one of the things off her list!

Also, when Phoebe, a vegetarian, is pregnant, she develops a craving to eat meat. So Joey sacrifices meat too, until she delivers her babies. Yes, the man who even loves beef that "tasted like feet", gave up meat just for his best friend!

4) Joey & Monica

Remember the episode when Monica is the head chef at Allesandro, but everyone working under her gives her a hard time? To scare people off, Joey decides to be hired as an employee in the restaurant just so that Monica can fire him to appear stern. Which friend goes through so much embarrassment for you if not your best friend?

Also, to help Monica and Chandler keep their relationship a secret, Joey lets himself be the scapegoat. Remember "I am Joey, and I am disgusting!"

5) Joey & Chandler

Of course, I saved Chandler for the end. Joey and Chandler gave us friendship goals in almost every episode. Be it Joey giving up on Kathy for Chandler, or Chandler spending all his money on Joey and building a room over his garage for Joey to grow old, the two showed us what it meant to be best friends.

Here are two instances when Joey was the better friend among the two:

That episode in Season 1 when Joey earns a lot of money and decides to spend it on no one but Chandler. Joey buys Chandler a gold bracelet with 'Best Buds' inscribed on it. Sure, Chandler doesn't like it, but knows it is the thought that counts.

In Season 10, when Joey gets a chance to wish upon a wishbone, he wishes that Chandler gets the job at the advertising agency. He could have wished for him winning the lottery, but he doesn't! And eventually, Chandler does get the job. And can't but thank Joey for that.

Of course there are more instances of Joey being a better friend than others on the show. So go on, tell us your favourite ones in the comments section!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOEY!

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