Tom Selleck Reflects on a Surprising Request During His Guest Appearance on FRIENDS as Richard

Before finding her happily ever after with Chandler Bing, Monica Geller, played by Courteney Cox on the hit NBC sitcom FRIENDS, experienced a variety of relationships. From Julio the poet to Paul the wine guy, Monica had quite the dating history before meeting Richard Burke. Richard, portrayed by Tom Selleck, was not only her father’s friend but also quickly became the love of her life. Despite the audience’s concerns about their significant age difference, Selleck shared in a past interview a surprising request from the show’s creators that left him “speechless.”

A Surprising Request for Tom Selleck on FRIENDS

Long before “Mondler” became a staple of the series, Monica was infatuated with Richard Burke. Although Selleck appeared in just nine episodes, his character was crucial to her storyline, frequently referenced by the cast. However, one aspect of his role caught Selleck off guard: he was initially asked to commit to three episodes but was taken aback when the creators invited him to extend his storyline. 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 level of maturity that Monica desperately needed, yet their relationship was not without complications. As they dated throughout the second season, tensions arose when Monica expressed her desire to have children. By that time, Richard was already a grandfather and had moved on from parenting. This fundamental difference in their life goals ultimately led to their breakup in “The One With Barry and Mindy’s Wedding.”

Though they crossed paths occasionally, it wasn’t until the Season 6 finale, “The One With the Proposal,” that Richard revealed he still had feelings for Monica and wanted to start a family. Ultimately, he stepped back when he recognized the deep connection between Monica and Chandler.

Tom Selleck’s Fear About His Role on FRIENDS

Among the many celebrity guest stars on FRIENDS, Tom Selleck’s portrayal of Richard Burke is particularly memorable, significantly enhancing Monica’s narrative. Despite fans enjoying their dynamic, Selleck admitted he was “scared to death” while filming.

During an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, he described his guest role as one of his most daunting experiences. He explained, “I try to relax the new actors because it’s really hard to come on a show where everyone’s up to speed.” While discussing his nerves during the table read, he acknowledged Courteney Cox’s support, which helped ease his anxiety about returning to sitcoms after a long absence.