Why did Joey die on his TV show?

Last Modified Mar 6, 2025 13:27 EST
Why did Joey die on his TV show?
Joey in Friends (Source: NBC)


When Joey drastically overstates that he writes the majority of his lines in an interview with Soap Opera Digest, he loses the Days of Our Lives gig. In retaliation, the show's writers "kill off" his role as Dr. Ramoray by having him fall down an elevator shaft.


The American comedy Friends was created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman. It aired on NBC from September 22, 1994, to May 6, 2004, lasting for 10 seasons with 236 episodes. The program revolves around six friends in their 20s and early 30s who reside in Manhattan, New York City, and stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer. The initial executive producers were Crane, Kauffman, and Kevin S. Bright.


How did Joey get the lead on his TV show?


Joey's big break comes when he gets his first significant role as Dr. Drake Ramoray on Days of Our Lives, a soap opera that stars Jennifer Aniston's father John, and is set outside of the Friends universe. Joey had originally applied for a one-shot role as a cab driver in the multiverse; it is suggested that he slept with the casting director to land the recurring character of Ramoray. In addition to his role as Ramoray, he plays a tiny part as a deceased man in Jean-Claude Van Damme's Outbreak 2: The Virus Takes Manhattan. His character was initially just dying in the scene, but because Joey overacted, it was altered to show him as already dead.


In an interview with Soap Opera Digest, Joey drastically overstates that he writes the majority of his own lines, costing him the Days of Our Lives position a few episodes later. This infuriates the show's creators, who, in a fit of retaliation, have Dr. Ramoray fall down an elevator shaft to "kill off" his character. Joey acknowledges that his part in Days of Our Lives was the best thing that had happened to him, but he takes this personally.


Related: In which episode did joeys parents appear


Joey’s return on his TV show


Joey tries out for the part of Dr. Striker Ramoray, Drake Ramoray's brother and a new character on Days of Our Lives in Season 7, but he is not chosen for the part. After he is given back his position as Dr. Drake Ramoray, Joey's luck finally turns around.


He is even nominated for an award for Best Returning Character, having originally been in a coma before being brought back to life through a brain transplant with another character, Jessica Lockhart (played by Susan Sarandon). He later takes Lockhart's place as Dr. Drake "Jessica" Ramoray in Season 7.


In which episode did Joey appear on Days of Our Lives in Friends?


'Days of our Lives' starred Joey Tribbiani as Dr. Drake Ramoray, a neurosurgeon at the fictional hospital on the show. The character was introduced in 'The One With Russ' and debuted in 'The One With The Lesbian Wedding'.



FAQs about Joey

  1. On Days of Our Lives, Dr. Drake Ramoray (Joey Tribbiani) worked as a neurosurgeon at the made-up hospital. 


  1.  Joey takes Lockhart's place as Dr. Drake "Jessica" Ramoray in Season 7.


  1. Joey, the main character of the spin-off/sequel series Joey, heads to Los Angeles to hone his acting skills after the last season of Friends. 


Related Stories

Who played Faith Lehane in Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Actress's career and notable projects explored Who played Faith Lehane in Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Actress's career and notable projects explored
Who played Faith Lehane in Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Actress's career and notable projects explored
2d
How to watch the SAG-AFTRA (The Actor) Awards on Netflix? Streaming details revealed How to watch the SAG-AFTRA (The Actor) Awards on Netflix? Streaming details revealed
How to watch the SAG-AFTRA (The Actor) Awards on Netflix? Streaming details revealed
2d
“Caught it really early”: Grey’s Anatomy star James Pickens Jr. opens up about cancer diagnosis “Caught it really early”: Grey’s Anatomy star James Pickens Jr. opens up about cancer diagnosis
“Caught it really early”: Grey’s Anatomy star James Pickens Jr. opens up about cancer diagnosis
1d
“We’ll see how it goes”: Fire Country’s Diane Farr discusses new romance for her character after Vince’s death “We’ll see how it goes”: Fire Country’s Diane Farr discusses new romance for her character after Vince’s death
“We’ll see how it goes”: Fire Country’s Diane Farr discusses new romance for her character after Vince’s death
2d
The Beast in Me star Claire Danes reveals the creative team "had about three episodes" written when the Netflix thriller started shooting The Beast in Me star Claire Danes reveals the creative team "had about three episodes" written when the Netflix thriller started shooting
The Beast in Me star Claire Danes reveals the creative team "had about three episodes" written when the Netflix thriller started shooting
2d
Sheriff Country Episode 5 recap: Mickey and Boone take a dangerous journey and Cassidy proves her worth Sheriff Country Episode 5 recap: Mickey and Boone take a dangerous journey and Cassidy proves her worth
Sheriff Country Episode 5 recap: Mickey and Boone take a dangerous journey and Cassidy proves her worth
2d
What happens to Colton in The Way Home? Character’s fate explored What happens to Colton in The Way Home? Character’s fate explored
What happens to Colton in The Way Home? Character’s fate explored
1d
"As long as people enjoy the show": Brad Winderbaum teases further seasons of Daredevil: Born Again "As long as people enjoy the show": Brad Winderbaum teases further seasons of Daredevil: Born Again
"As long as people enjoy the show": Brad Winderbaum teases further seasons of Daredevil: Born Again
1d
“I just said yes”: Pluribus star Rhea Seehorn reveals how she had to keep the show a secret for three years “I just said yes”: Pluribus star Rhea Seehorn reveals how she had to keep the show a secret for three years
“I just said yes”: Pluribus star Rhea Seehorn reveals how she had to keep the show a secret for three years
2d
Does Justin Theroux’s Fallout Season 2 character have a Star Trek Connection? Explained in depth Does Justin Theroux’s Fallout Season 2 character have a Star Trek Connection? Explained in depth
Does Justin Theroux’s Fallout Season 2 character have a Star Trek Connection? Explained in depth
2d