He is nearly synonymous with his “Friends” character, paleontologist Ross Geller, whom he portrayed for ten seasons. Was he going to be a Hollywood star?
Schwimmer is certain of it.
In a podcast interview, the 57-year-old actor revealed that he was approached about starring in the 1997 hit film “Men in Black,” but he ultimately declined the offer. Schwimmer denied that he turned down the movie because of a schedule clash with his popular TV show, despite host and actress Cush Jumbo’s assumption to that effect.
I didn’t decline it for that reason,” he clarified. “That choice was harsh.
There were big hopes for “The Pallbearer,” my first movie with Gwyneth Paltrow, which I had just wrapped filming, but they weren’t met,” he chuckled.
It was somewhat of a failure, but there were big hopes, and Miramax, the studio, wanted to tie me down to a three-picture agreement at a set cost. I told them I would do that if I was given the opportunity to direct my first film, he said.