Danny DeVito’s cameo on Friends is remembered as one of the most iconic celebrity appearances in sitcom history 🌟. His guest role came during the show’s tenth and final season, standing out even among the many big-name cameos the series featured. Here’s the story behind his memorable appearance and why it left such a lasting impression.
DeVito played Roy in the season 10 episode “The One Where The Stripper Cries” .
Roy was a last-minute stripper hire for Phoebe’s bachelorette party, showing up as “Officer Goodbody.” However, due to his age and physique, the women weren’t particularly impressed. Phoebe’s reaction—cringing and insulting Roy—caused him to nearly give up on his career .
The trio then encouraged him to teach younger men how to strip instead, and eventually, Phoebe allowed him to perform his routine one more time, which the women thoroughly enjoyed.
By the time of his Friends cameo in 2004, DeVito already had over three decades of acting experience 🎬.
On television, he was best known for Taxi (1978–1983), while his film credits included classics like One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Throw Momma from the Train, Twins, Batman Returns, and Matilda. At the time of his cameo, he wasn’t promoting a specific project, though he had appeared in films like Anything Else, Duplex, and Big Fish the previous year. His star power alone made his appearance a major win for the show ✨.
DeVito’s performance as a sensitive, tearful male stripper was met with acclaim, earning him a nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series at the 2004 Emmys 🏆, though he ultimately lost to John Turturro for Monk. Despite the award loss, fans and critics alike continue to celebrate his hilarious and unexpected portrayal.
Over the years, his cameo has even inspired fan casting in wildly unexpected roles, such as a petition to make him the next Wolverine in the Marvel universe
While most people wouldn’t picture someone like DeVito as an exotic dancer, his comedic timing, charm, and character arc made the role unforgettable ❤️. He’s still asked about the cameo, now more than 15 years later, and has joked that he wishes he had the chance to remove more of his uniform during the scene—something that would have made the episode even more legendary.
