Who Was He? Although he had a number of film and TV roles, including a starring role in the series Iron Horse, Collins' fame mostly comes from hosting the talk show Hour Magazine. He was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award on six occasions for the programme, winning once in 1984, and a year later he was awarded with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He passed away of natural causes in 2012, at the age of 74.
Role On Friends: Himself. Yep, Gary Collins played Gary Collins in The One Where Phoebe Hates PBS, as the host of a telethon (a role Joey thinks he has, before it turns out he's just one of the phone operators). He may have got the role ahead of Joey, but he is at least suitably impressed with his tux.
NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far.
A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.
