The famous Joey Tribbiani from the popular television series Friends, Matt LeBlanc, was married to British-American model Melissa McKnight. Sadly, the union was short-lived.
She is an actress in addition to being a model, having appeared in the 2001 film Triangles and Tribulations and the VH1: All Access television series (2001). She additionally made an appearance at the 31st People’s Choice Awards.
Continue reading for a detailed look inside the former model’s relationship with her ex-husband, Matt LeBlanc!
McKnight Started As A Model Early
On March 10, 1965, McKnight was born in England; at an early age, she emigrated to the United States. She is so both an American and an Englishwoman by nationality.
The stunning blonde had the ideal physique, blue eyes, and body to be a model.
She broke into the industry at an early age and went on to become one of the top models of the 1980s and 1990s, appearing on the covers of major fashion publications like Cosmopolitan, Elle, Vogue, and many more.
Additionally, she made the switch to acting in the early millennium and had a few appearances in feature films.
The former model’s family history, including information about her parents, siblings, and schooling, is private.
McKnight has wed twice, most recently to Matt LeBlanc.
McKnight’s first spouse was the director Anthony Esposito. She gave birth to Tyler and Jacqueline Esposito through her marriage, making her the mother of two kids.
Sadly, the marriage failed, and the couple separated. But she still had more love to experience.
She first met Friends star Matt LeBlanc in 1997 after her divorce.
Through their mutual acquaintance Kelly Phillips and her husband Lou Diamond Phillips, the model got to know him.
The couple’s relationship accelerated quickly; in less than a year, they went from dating to engagement.
Five years later, they got married in one of Hawaii’s biggest celebrity weddings. The 150 guests on the guest list included Matt’s Friends co-stars and their spouses.
The Friends actor’s union was his first, and thereafter, he was all gushing about how his wife had given his life a little more stability. LeBlanc said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly prior to their nuptials:
When the couple welcomed Marina Pearl McKnight as a daughter in 2004, they entered a state of pure marital bliss.
McKnight’s Daughter Has a Rare Brain Disorder, says the report
After baby Marina had been in the family for 11 months, McKnight and her husband were shaken by a family occurrence.
Their infant daughter was identified as having Cortical Dysplasia, a congenital condition that results in seizures.
The newborn girl improved after a year of treatment, and it appeared that the parents had weathered the storm. That wasn’t the case, though.
LeBlanc & McKnight’s Divorce
McKnight had the misfortune of experiencing a second failed marriage after her first.
Her spouse, who was known for being a womanizer, resumed his previous routine of randomly entering bars. He was on vacation with his five mates in British Columbia when he was caught touching a dancer at an all-nude bar. The actor eventually expressed regret to his wife, but the damage had already been done.
The actor’s connection to Andrea Anders, his co-star, was the icing on the cake. So, in March 2006, he and McKnight officially filed for divorce, which was then finalized in September of the same year.
The couple dropped all claims for spousal support, but the $80 million-plus Friends actor agreed to make monthly payments to his daughter until she reached 18.
What is McKnight currently doing?
She and LeBlanc adopted joint custody of Marina following the divorce. They are both taking care of their daughter.
Recently, Marina has not been the center of attention. There is no information about her relationship because she guards her privacy. On the other hand, Aurora Mulligan, an Irish TV producer and actress, is currently dating McKnight’s ex-husband.
