unilad homepage
unilad homepage
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • World News
    • Crime
    • Health
    • Money
    • Sport
    • Travel
  • Music
  • Technology
  • Film and TV
    • News
    • DC Comics
    • Disney
    • Marvel
    • Netflix
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Friends' Mr Heckles completely lost it with on-set outburst after his last episode
Home>Film & TV
Published 15:57 21 Feb 2023 GMT

Friends' Mr Heckles completely lost it with on-set outburst after his last episode

The actor was furious after his character was bumped off

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover
Featured Image Credit: Collider Podcasts/YouTube / NBC

Topics: Entertainment, Film and TV, Friends

Claire Reid
Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at UNILAD who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Friends fans will most likely remember Mr Heckles - the weird neighbour who lived underneath Monica and Rachel’s apartment and would bang on the ceiling of his apartment if he deemed the pals to be too loud.

Played by Larry Hankin, Mr Heckles was first credited only as ‘the weird man’ when he appeared in 'The One With The Blackout', but was later introduced more formally as Mr Heckles.

He was a man that was no stranger to sharing bizarre lies, such as claiming to be Chandler's roommate or accusing Monica and Rachel of disturbing his oboe practice, despite not actually playing the oboe.

If you need a reminder, you can see him in action here:

Advert

Mr Heckles popped up in three more episodes of Friends before bowing out in the appropriately named 'The One Where Mr Heckles Dies' - although he then reappeared in a flashback in the equally appropriately named 'The One With The Flashback'.

However, it turns out that his character's demise prompted a furious response from Hankin, who revealed that he ‘lost it’ with the show’s producers after learning of Mr Heckle's fate.

Speaking to Cracked, Hankin explained: “Overall, I did five episodes of Friends, and Mr Heckles became very famous. Here’s the thing, though: on your sixth show, you became a recurring character, which meant a big bump in pay.

Larry Hankin as Mr Heckles in Friends.
Warner Bros

“I got a call from my agent saying, 'I have good news and bad news. First, Friends called for your fifth appearance…' In that moment, I thought, 'I have a house.' Then he said, 'You have a heart attack and die'.”

Ouch.

Hankin went on to say that on his final day of filming, he was unable to keep his anger from spilling over - saying that he arrived to the shoot with a 'chip on his shoulder' and was dead set on letting producers know he 'wasn't happy'.

He continued: “After we taped, I lost it. I went over to the producers and shouted, 'What did you do!?!'

Mr Heckles appeared in five episodes.
Warner Bros

"Everybody just shut up. There were like a hundred people there because it was the first episode of the season, which is always a big party. They were all understandably startled. A female producer quietly leaned in and said, 'Larry, can we talk about this a little later?'

“That snapped me out of it. I looked around, and everyone was staring at me. I backed away and went to the craft-services table, where everyone just cleared out. I stood there for a few minutes and waited for the voices to come back up. Then this 14-year-old kid came over to me — I think he was somebody’s son — and said, 'Dude, that was so cool!'."

Cool? Sounds pretty awkward to me.

Choose your content:

2 hours ago
3 hours ago
14 hours ago
a day ago
  • Universal Studios
    2 hours ago

    Universal Studios accused of not paying for ship damaged in The Odyssey filming

    The blockbuster epic is facing major behind-the-scenes drama over the ship owners feeling 'forgotten'

    Film & TV
  • Warner Bros
    3 hours ago

    Big Bang Theory star Kunal Nayyar looks unrecognizable as they debut cameo in new spinoff show

    The HBO Max show has a connection with the Big Bang Theory universe

    Film & TV
  • Sony Pictures
    14 hours ago

    Kevin Feige confirms live-action Miles Morales is coming to the MCU

    Kevin Feige has confirmed plans to bring Miles Morales to the MCU, describing it as the "destiny" of the Spider-Man franchise

    Film & TV
  • Hulu
    a day ago

    Charles Manson's granddaughter takes personality test to compare herself to cult leader

    My Grandfather Charles Manson details how one of the notorious killer's sons only discovered who his father was later in life

    Film & TV
  • Cole Sprouse explained why he found it so difficult working on Friends with Jennifer Aniston
  • Full House's Jodie Sweetin reveals her insane royalties as Friends cast get $20 million a year
  • Wild theory about original Madagascar movie will completely change the way you watch it
  • Zoë Kravitz brutally slams Friends and explains why 'wild' 90s sitcom 'should stay in past'