‘Friends’ Was Almost a Very Different Show With Frank Grillo Playing This Main Character

Frank Grillo has had a long career in the entertainment industry with parts in Prison Break and The Purge films. His recent contribution to the zeitgeist, however, was being cast as a grieving father, Rick Flag Sr., in James Gunn ’s world of DC. This clout is undeniable, but could have looked quite different if things had panned out in an alternative universe. Over three decades ago, a little show known as Friends had been casting Joey Tribbiani, and Grillo found himself up for the role.

In a twist of fate, the Peacemaker actor had accompanied an actor friend of his to the audition, where he caught the eye of the casting agent. Grillo told the story on "Lights, Camera, Bar Stool," and recalled that the director quickly clocked him as an actor and instructed h