(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Matt LeBlanc struggled with playing himself in his new television comedy.

The American actor rose to fame playing Joey Tribbiani in the hit television show Friends and now stars in Episodes, a seven-part comedy serial in which he plays a parody of himself.

Matt confessed having to act out his own character was confusing at first, but then enjoyable.

"The only thing I bumped on was, I didn't understand what it meant by me playing myself, he told USA Today. I had to emotionally detach myself from the idea of portraying myself, [and] then it became fun... It's more the public's perception of a celebrity than it is me."

The actor has spent time relaxing and being a father to his six-year-old daughter Marina since his Friends spin-off series Joey ended after two years.

Matt hadnt intended to return to television acting and had even contemplated retirement, but the draw of starring in Episodes was too awesome to refuse.

"I had taken time off after Joey and was really enjoying my life and being a dad," Matt explained. "I was in a place where I just needed a break and found myself in a position where I was almost 40 and had enough money to retire." (C) Cover Media