Marina Pearl LeBlanc is a well-known celebrity daughter of famed actor Matt LeBlanc. Matt is renowned for playing the endearing and not-so-intelligent Joey Tribbiani on the renowned sitcom Friends from 1994 to 2004, where he earned much praise for his portrayal.
Marina Pearl LeBlanc Quick Facts
Full name: Marina Pearl LeBlanc
Gender: Female
Date of birth: February 8, 2004
Age: 19 years (As of 2023)
Place of birth: California, United States of America
Hometown: Santa Barbara, CA, USA
Sun sign: Aquarius
Nationality: American
Ethnicity: Mixed (Italian, British, and Acadian)
Religion: Christianity
Height: 5 feet 6 inches
Weight: 55 kg (Approx)
Hair color: Brown
Eye color: Blue
Parents Matthew Steven LeBlanc & Melissa Sue McKnight
Early Life & Childhood
Marina Pearl LeBlanc, born in California, USA on 8th February 2004, is 19 years old as of 2023. She is an American citizen and follows the Christian religion, with an Aquarius zodiac sign.
She has a multiracial background which includes Italian, British, and Acadian ancestry. She was brought up in Santa Barbara and came into the world while her mom and dad were in the process of splitting up.
The moment Matt Leblanc set eyes on his daughter, LeBlanc, at her birth, he was completely captivated. Speaking to the Telegraph, he said,
“I remember when my daughter was born. The second I laid my eyes on her, I fell in love with her, I had never felt that way before.
“I couldn’t believe it. I knew from that moment nothing could stop me from loving her, even if she folded my Ferrari!
“She can wrap me around her little finger. I’m powerless.”
The relationship between Marina Leblanc and her father has been strong since then, seemingly unalterable. When Leblanc was nearing her first birthday, she received a diagnosis of a neurological disorder known as Cortical dysplasia.
Cortical dysplasia, sometimes referred to as cortical malformation, involves an anomalous formation of the cerebral cortex, the exterior layer of the brain in charge of a range of cognitive abilities.
This group of brain conditions develops during the early stages of brain development, either before birth or in early infancy.
Cortical dysplasia can appear in varying degrees of severity, from mild to serious. Its effects can be localized to one area of the brain or more widespread.
The underlying cause of this disorder is not always clear, but a combination of genetic and environmental elements is thought to be at play. Some types of cortical dysplasia may be linked to genetic mutations, prenatal infections, or traumas.
While talking about the difficult period with his daughter, Matt LeBlanc said,
“For years and years, I barely left the house. I was burnt out.
“Most actors call their agents and say, ‘What’s going on?’ I’d call mine and say, ‘Please lose my number for a few years’. It was a very dark time. I almost had a nervous breakdown.”
One of the positive aspects of Marina Pearl LeBlanc’s life is that her ailment was identified promptly and in its infancy. Her father consequently stopped performing for five years so that he could be with her, during which time they resided at a ranch in California.
Excitement spread through the public when word got out that Marina Pearl LeBlanc had undergone treatment and had successfully overcome her condition.
Who Is Marina Pearl LeBlanc’s Mother?
Melissa McKnight is a former model and the ex-spouse of actor Matt LeBlanc. The two were hitched from 2003 to 2006, yet their marriage was eventually undone due to irreconcilable differences.
Before becoming a wife to Matt LeBlanc, Melissa McKnight had a successful modeling career, gracing the covers of renowned magazines such as Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Elle.
Marina Pearl LeBlanc’s Relationship With Matt LeBlanc
In 2016, Matt revealed to PEOPLE that his daughter Marina, who was 12 at the time, requested horses and a concert from Rihanna for her birthday. Matt recalled,
“This year for her birthday, [Marina] said, ‘I want you to get Rihanna to come. And, I was like, ‘I’ll get right on that, sure.’ ”
Marina was raised with horses nearby, as Matt’s family would make the journey to their Santa Barbara ranch on the weekends.
Marina is a big fan of her dad’s most popular character. Matt revealed to Express U.K. in 2018 that he and his daughter had a great time watching reruns of Friends, with Marina at first referring to it as The Joey Tribbiani Show.
“It’s still on all the time, so we’ll stop and watch it if we’re channel surfing and it pops up,” he said. “She loves to ask me questions about it. She’ll say: ‘Was that real? Did you really eat that? What did that taste like? Ooh, you ate that off the floor? That’s gross! You’re so funny, Dad.’ “
Marina Pearl LeBlanc had the opportunity to go and visit the set of Man With a Plan, one of her father’s other projects, while Friends had ended its run. Matt shared in 2016 that he was thankful for the show’s more adaptable timetable, which enabled him to be back home in time to have dinner with his daughter.
