David Schwimmer remembers frightening Friends scene leading to costar hospitalization

David Schwimmer may have a penchant for horror films, but one particular moment on the set of Friends left him truly shaken. In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Schwimmer recounted a shocking incident involving his co-star Matt LeBlanc during a live taping.

According to Schwimmer, LeBlanc was supposed to perform a pratfall during filming for season 3’s The One Where No One Is Ready. However, things took a scary turn when LeBlanc ended up dislocating his shoulder in the process. Schwimmer described the moment as “genuinely frightening,” noting that LeBlanc looked like he was about to pass out.

The scene in question involved Joey and Chandler racing for a chair, with Joey diving onto it to claim victory. Unfortunately, LeBlanc’s attempt at a dramatic leap ended with his shoulder popping out of its socket. Schwimmer quickly called for the cameras to cut, bringing production to a halt as LeBlanc was rushed to the hospital.

During the Friends reunion special on HBO Max in 2021, the cast revisited the traumatic incident, even cringing as they watched unseen footage of the accident. To accommodate LeBlanc’s real-life injury, the following episode, The One With the Jam, included a scene where Joey dislocates his shoulder while jumping on a bed, cleverly explaining the sling LeBlanc had to wear.

It’s a reminder that even in the world of entertainment, accidents can happen when stunts go wrong. The camaraderie and support of the Friends cast helped turn a frightening moment into a memorable behind-the-scenes story that fans can now look back on with a mix of shock and amusement.