After Friends ended in 2004, Matt LeBlanc did the Joey spin-off for two years and then took five years off from acting. Since his stint on Episodes in 2011, he’s only done a handful of projects, including a Top Gear hosting gig. If you’re wondering what Matt was up during his acting breaks, the answer is: nothing! Literally. The man loves doing nothing.
Matt has said several times over the years just how much he loves having nothing to do. In 2017, he told Conan O’Brien, “I would like to do not a f-cking thing” and described his ideal day as being able to wake up whenever he wants to, drink as much (or as little) coffee as he pleases, and only workout if he feels like it. In 2018, he doubled down in an interview on Scandinavian TV show Skavlan that he should be “a professional nothing.” Well, TikTok has just discovered Matt’s comments and they are tickled by them. They’re currently obsessed with an interview he did with Graham Norton way in 2011 where he talks about his very favorite thing to do as well as how he occupies his downtime.
The exchange happened when Matt appeared on the British talk show The Graham Norton Show back in 2011, with host Graham Norton not holding back as he said to the actor: “It does sound like your work ethic isn’t that high, you don’t like leaving your home that much?”
“Yeah, I’ve got to get out of here,” Matt quipped in response as he jokingly checked his watch. Graham then said: “But seriously, you do like to do nothing, don’t you?”
“Yeah,” Matt replied. “I hate to say it, my mom probably won’t be too proud, but my favorite thing to do is absolutely nothing. I would sit on the couch forever if you let me.”
The host then pointed out that Matt has “big toys” at his house to keep him busy, and Matt confirmed that he did with a huge smile on his face. He said: “I’ve got some cool toys. I’ve got a big, huge bulldozer to play with. Big.”
When fellow guest David Mitchell asked the star if he also had buildings he could destroy with the bulldozer, Matt explained that he has things he can build, knock down, and then rebuild, adding: “It’s kind of fun.”
He also clarified that he doesn’t keep the bulldozer in his garden, sharing: “It’s at this big piece of property I have. And I have a motocross track there, so we use it to make the jumps and do all that kind of stuff.”
This interview clip has been viewed more than 760k times at the time of writing, and racked up tens of thousands of likes and comments — many of which say the same kind of thing.
“he does exactly what you should do when you can afford it. just nothing,” one person wrote, while somebody else echoed: “That is the point of being rich.”
“He has the right idea, too many people work hard their whole life but forget to enjoy what they earn,” another user commented.
One more added: “work ethic pfftt hes got the work life balance down.”
“he makes MILLIONS off ‘Friends’ re-runs alone… i’d love to do nothing too if i had that kind of money 😅” somebody else confessed, while one more pointed out: “Do you see the relaxed look on his face and forehead? Wish I had Matt LeBlanc money.”
Another popular comment joked: “He is actually joey just with money 😂😂”
Hey, good for Matt. The man is reportedly worth $85 million and makes approximately $20 mil a year in Friends residuals. He’s very fortunate that if he wants to chill out and do nothing, he can. He had $11 in the bank when he landed Friends, so he’s come a long way. I have no problem with him enjoying the fruits of his labor, although I do hope that he’s also using some of his money for good and donating to worthy causes. Also, after hearing the story about him owning the bulldozer, I laughed at the comment about him being “Joey just with money.” That feels correct.
Anyway, I have never been a person who is good at doing nothing, but I envy those who are! I need a project or something to occupy my brain. I don’t even really sit down and watch TV at night. And yes, I am an anxious person in general, lol. I used to take pilates classes twice a week pre-kids, but now, I struggle to even do a yoga video at home without having to stop and do a million things at the same time. People who love doing nothing, teach me your ways!
Photos credit: Hollywood To You/Backgrid, Backgrid, Joe Sutter, PacificCoastNews/Avalon
Hi he had a very succesful series called Man with a plan from 2016-2020.
Of course he can do nothing, he’s filthy rich.
Hey, he was brilliant at poking fun at “Matt LeBlanc” on Episodes, so I’m a forever fan.
I hope he’s enjoying his life to its fullest.
I LOVED his character (or “character,” ha ha) in Episodes! I wasn’t a big Friends watcher or fan, so seeing his work on Episodes really endeared me to him. I also fully support and understand his desire to just do nothing. What a gift to be able to actually do that, and it does seem like he appreciates that it’s a privilege.
Alright advice on doing nothing. So it starts out as having nothing or er $11 say and then having more money than you ever anticipated. Then realizing that in the US we are cut off from a young age, cut off from internal motivation. We are taught that we do things to get a reaction from others, a treat, a sticker, an A+ and not reminded that we should also give time and attention and space to the things we want to do just because we want to do them. We have bills to pay and so money becomes our motivation.
He does actually do things, he has a whole motor cross track and heavy equipment he just does what he wants to do and sometimes when the money motivation is null and the pleasing others thrill has dried up then we are left with pondering and moving through life a little slower. It appears that way to others but actually it’s enough to just exist. Don’t ask me how I know *sigh*
I also enjoy doing nothing. I’m retired now and can just sit on the couch surf the internet or the TV. I really have to watch myself or I’ll die doing it. I have to fight with myself to get up and walk. I wish I had more motivation but I wasn’t born with that.
I view it as a time of reprieve of rest. I’ve read Art of War and I know that retreating and resting is also part of war. I’ll rest and then I’ll build my strengths when I have my next conquest in sight.
“The possession of leisure is a wonderful opportunity.” (A Room With a View, movie not book.)
My son is like this. He has no real interests. He’s old enough to stay home alone, and knows not to be on his screen all day, so he sends me pics of little doodles, and him watching his turtle play outside, but he really doesn’t have a hobby or anything that drives him. I’m kind of okay with it. My friends want their kids to be occupied at all times, but I think doing nothing is nice.