David Schwimmer recently shared a haunting experience he had while filming the iconic TV show FRIENDS, particularly an incident involving his co-star Matt LeBlanc that left a lasting impression on him. As Schwimmer prepares for his role in Goosebumps Season 2, he takes the opportunity to reflect on this frightening moment from his past.
The story revolves around a particular scene in Monica's apartment that turned unexpectedly eerie. Schwimmer's account explained how there can be scenes of fear that arise during the shoot, something which is completely in contrast to the comedy flavor of the series.
In an interview, Schwimmer recalled one scene from season 3 in which LeBlanc was injured during a live taping. He said,
"During the live taping of the show, [Matt LeBlanc] is supposed to do a kind of a pratfall, and he actually dislocated his shoulder"
This very incident shows the unpredictable nature of filming, even when the environment seems light-hearted and carefree. Schwimmer's candor over this terrifying experience adds more layers to his work in the future and adds insights into how experiences have molded an actor's journey.
A scary encounter
In recounting the incident, David Schwimmer vividly described the moment when everything went wrong. He said,
"He went totally white, and he stood up, and I could see his shoulder was out. He looked like he was going to pass out."
The suddenness of the injury shocked everyone on set. The injury wasn't just scary on the outside; it was also affecting the mood on set. David Schwimmer pointed out that he immediately called for help, saying,
"[I was] turning to the camera like, 'Cut, cut,... cut.' That was genuinely frightening"
This incident reminded him of how serious accidents can happen, even in comedies. He stressed that it was uncomfortable watching LeBlanc in pain:
"You could see how badly hurt he was. And we had to stop filming that night, obviously, and he went to hospital."
The incident's impact on David Schwimmer and LeBlanc
The situation had both Schwimmer and LeBlanc shaken. That unpredictability is part of what makes acting thrilling but also intimidating. Despite having lived through a frightening experience during the incident, David Schwimmer and LeBlanc can find the humor afterward.
But as he remembers that moment with LeBlanc, Schwimmer remarks with a shaky chuckle,
"That was scary."
The camaraderie among the cast members helped them cope with moments like these. David Schwimmer noted how they bonded over shared experiences. This sense of unity is part of what made working on FRIENDS so memorable for them.
Preparing for Goosebumps Season 2
As David Schwimmer readies for Goosebumps Season 2, he says experiences like this make one reflect on what kind of journey an actor's lifetime is. In discussing this new venture, Schwimmer stated he was excited to work with different genres:
"Let me start by saying, even within the horror genre, there are so many types of horror," Schwimmer says of what attracted him to the role. "For me, what I love to do is to really kind of figure out, 'Okay, what is the tone here? What is the tone of this project?' Here, it's horror within a certain audience. It's geared toward a certain audience. There's also comedy, there's also action, and there's also drama."
David Schwimmer's transition from comedy to horror is a challenge, but it also gives him opportunities to grow as an actor. He said that these experiences inform his performances and help him connect with audiences in new ways.
David Schwimmer's recollection of a frightening moment on the FRIENDS set serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of filmmaking. The incident with Matt LeBlanc not only startled them but also strengthened their bond as friends and colleagues.
As Schwimmer prepares for Goosebumps Season 2, he carries with him both light-hearted and haunting memories from his time on FRIENDS—experiences that will undoubtedly inform his performance in future roles.