Friends: Joey Tribbiani’s top jobs from waiter to soap star

Joey Tribbiani might not have had the most stable career path, but he sure had one of the most entertaining. While Monica was climbing the culinary ladder and Ross was knee-deep in dinosaur bones - Joey was out there auditioning, failing, trying again, and working whatever job paid enough to cover rent (or pizza). His big dream was always to become a famous actor, but let’s just say the road to stardom had a few detours. And most of them were weird.

What makes Joey so lovable isn’t just his goofy charm or his love for sandwiches - it’s his unshakable belief in himself, even when nobody else is buying it. One week, he’s playing a neurosurgeon on national television. The next, he’s in a bizarre Japanese lipstick ad. He’s been fired more times than we can count and humiliated even more. But Joey never stops trying, and there’s something kind of inspiring about that.

Let’s take a look back at Joey’s wildest, funniest, and most unforgettable jobs throughout Friends. Some were wins, others were disasters - but all were peak Joey!

Joey Tribbiani’s top jobs from waiter to soap star

1) Dr. Drake Ramoray – Days of Our Lives (Season 2, Episode 10)

Joey’s biggest acting break came when he landed the role of Dr. Drake Ramoray on Days of Our Lives. Playing a brain surgeon who was somehow always involved in absurd plots, Joey quickly became a fan favorite. Unfortunately, his ego got the better of him - he claimed in an interview that he made up his own lines, and the writers “killed” him off by throwing him down an elevator shaft. Still, this was peak Joey fame.

2) Waiter at Central Perk (Season 2, Episode 12)

When acting jobs dried up, Joey swallowed his pride and picked up shifts as a waiter at Central Perk. While Rachel had already been demoted to the role herself, Joey was arguably even worse at it. He forgot orders, flirted with customers, and didn’t exactly bring barista energy to the job. But it paid (barely), and it was classic Joey - chaotic but charming.

3) Cologne Spritzer at a Department Store (Season 3, Episode 10)

In one unforgettable episode, Joey took a job spraying cologne samples at a department store. Assigned to “Bijan”, he quickly got into a hilarious turf war with the “Hombre” guy. They sneaked around corners, ambushed shoppers, and turned fragrance into full-blown combat. It wasn’t exactly the kind of acting Joey dreamed about, but the dramatics were still there.

4) STD Awareness Poster Model (Season 1, Episode 9)

Before his soap opera days, Joey did some modelling work - though not quite the glamorous kind. He posed for a poster expecting it to be for a health campaign, only to find out it was warning people about venereal diseases. His face appeared next to the line “What Mario Isn’t Telling You.” Let’s just say it didn’t help his dating life.

5) Al Pacino’s Butt Double (Season 1, Episode 6)

This one might be Joey’s strangest claim to fame. He was hired as Al Pacino’s body double for a shower scene. Specifically... his backside. Joey being Joey, tried to “act” the scene and ended up getting fired for making the rear end “too dramatic.” Still, it was a brush with Hollywood royalty, and for him, he could see it being an Oscar-nominated role.

6) Christmas Tree Salesperson (Season 3, Episode 10)

Joey once took a seasonal gig selling Christmas trees - and unsurprisingly, he threw himself into it with holiday spirit and plenty of charm. He loved helping customers find their perfect tree, but things got tense when Phoebe found out old trees were being sent to the chipper. Joey tried to sneak them into the display to “save” them, which only made things more chaotic. Still, he meant well - and looked great in flannel!

7) Ichiban Lipstick Commercial in Japan (Season 10, Episode 6)

Nothing screams “Joey Tribbiani” like a blue suit and the phrase “Ichiban - Lipstick for Men!” This Japanese commercial saw Joey posing dramatically with bright blue lips while yelling in a language he didn’t speak. He tried to keep it a secret from his friends, but once they saw it, the teasing never stopped. As ridiculous as it was, the ad is iconic among Friends fans.

8) Christmas Elf at a Department Store (Season 4, Episode 10)

To make ends meet around the holidays, Joey took a job as one of Santa’s helpers at a mall. Dressed as an elf, he entertained kids and tried not to lose his mind. It was a tough gig - screaming children, itchy tights, long hours - but Joey handled it with a grin. Not because he loved it, but because rent was due.

9) Tour Guide at the Museum (Season 5, Episode 11)

When he found himself unemployed (again), Joey briefly worked as a tour guide at the museum where Ross worked. It didn’t go well. Joey’s version of history was more fiction than fact, and he mostly annoyed the real guides with his improv commentary. He didn’t last long, but the short stint was enough to remind us why he wasn’t meant for academia.

10) Caesars Palace Gladiator in Vegas (Season 5, Episode 23)

During the gang’s trip to Las Vegas, Joey took a job dressed as a Roman gladiator at Caesars Palace. He loved every second of it - posing for photos, acting like a warrior, and living like a (broke) king. It wasn’t a real career move, but it was pure Joey: over-the-top and totally into it!

11) Lead Role in a Very Bad Freud Play (Season 1, Episode 5)

In one episode, Joey stars in Freud! - a hilariously bad off-off-Broadway production where he plays Sigmund Freud. Complete with a ridiculous accent and a song about misplaced anatomy, the role was both embarrassing and oddly perfect for him. It didn’t lead to any big roles, but it gave us one of the most unforgettable stage performances in Friends history.

12) Extra on a Crime Drama (Season 5, Episode 13)

Joey finally got a small part in a crime drama and was beyond excited to see himself on TV. Unfortunately, his scene got cut. In true Joey fashion, he invited everyone over for a viewing party only to sit in silence as the credits rolled. To redeem himself, he acted out the scene for them in his living room, line by line.

13) Waiter with Monica at Moondance Diner (Season 8, Episode 1)

Before Central Perk, Joey briefly worked with Monica at the retro-themed Moondance Diner. Dressed in tacky uniforms and serving tables with fake cheer, the job was far from glamorous. Joey tried to enjoy it, mostly for the tips and milkshakes - but his real motive was to support Monica after she got promoted at her chef job. It didn’t last long, but it showed his sweeter side (and his willingness to wear a name tag).

Now isn't that a wild ride worth watching? Joey’s career may not have followed a straight line, but it was never boring. From soap opera fame to mall elf gigs, he took every job with heart, humor, and a surprising amount of confidence. Whether he was a hero, an extra, or the butt of the joke (literally), he gave it his all. And really, isn’t that what makes Joey so unforgettable?