“Tom Selleck Reveals How a Surprising Request on FRIENDS Left Him ‘Speechless’”

Before Monica Geller found her happily ever after with Chandler Bing, she had her share of romantic entanglements on the hit NBC sitcom FRIENDS. From Julio the poet to Paul the wine guy, Courteney Cox’s character dated a variety of men before meeting Richard Burke. Played by Tom Selleck, the ophthalmologist who was also her father’s friend, Richard quickly became an important part of Monica’s life. Despite the show’s audience having mixed feelings about their age difference, Selleck recently shared that one particular request from the show’s creators left him completely “speechless.”

Tom Selleck’s Unexpected Request on FRIENDS

Before Monica and Chandler became a couple, Courteney Cox’s character was deeply involved with Tom Selleck’s Richard Burke. Although Richard appeared in only nine episodes, his presence significantly impacted Monica’s storyline. Selleck was initially brought on for three episodes but was left astonished when the creators asked him to extend his guest role. In an interview, he recalled:

“That group is just an incredible group of friends. They obviously became friends in life as well as on the show, and it shows. It was a wonderful place to work, and we ended up doing about nine episodes.”

Richard Burke brought a sense of maturity that Monica needed, though their relationship faced its own challenges. The couple dated through the second season, but tensions arose when Monica began discussing the possibility of having children. As a grandfather who was not interested in raising more kids, Burke’s views conflicted with Monica’s lifelong dream of becoming a mother. Their differing life goals led to their breakup in “The One With Barry and Mindy’s Wedding.”

Despite occasional reunions, it wasn’t until the Season 6 finale, “The One With the Proposal,” that Richard professed his love for Monica and expressed a desire to start a family. However, he ultimately withdrew when he recognized the depth of Monica and Chandler’s relationship.

Tom Selleck’s Anxiety About His FRIENDS Appearance

Among the many celebrities who made guest appearances on FRIENDS, Tom Selleck’s portrayal of Richard Burke remains memorable for its impact on Monica’s storyline. Despite the positive reception, Selleck admitted he was “scared to death” while filming his role. In an interview on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Selleck described his guest appearance as one of his most daunting experiences. He confessed, “I try to relax new actors because it’s really tough to come onto a show where everyone is already up to speed.” He added that he didn’t feel confident during the initial table read, though the feedback he received was positive.