Melissa McKnight is a name many people recognize, especially if you were a fan of the popular TV show Friends. She was married to Matt LeBlanc, the actor who played Joey Tribbiani. But there’s more to her story than just being Matt LeBlanc’s ex-wife. Melissa had a career as a model, tried her hand at acting, and has always been a dedicated mom.
In this article, we will look at Melissa McKnight’s life. We’ll explore her early days, her career, her marriage to Matt LeBlanc, and what happened after their divorce. Let’s dive in and find out the details of her journey.
Melissa McKnight Quick Bio
| Full Name | Melissa Sue McKnight |
| Nickname | Missy McKnight |
| Date of Birth | March 10, 1965 |
| Age | 60 years old (2025) |
| Nationality | British-American |
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Occupation | Former Model, Actress |
| Known For | Matt LeBlanc’s ex-wife |
| Children | Tyler, Jacqueline, Marina |
| Marriage | Matt LeBlanc (2003-2006) |
| Net Worth | $1 million (estimated) |
| Current Life | Private, focused on family |
Early Life of Melissa McKnight
Melissa McKnight was born Melissa Sue McKnight on March 10, 1965, in England. She grew up there for a part of her life but moved to the United States when she was young. She became both British and American, holding dual citizenship.
Before she became a famous model, Melissa lived a quiet, simple life. She didn’t come from a family in the spotlight. In fact, she preferred to keep her life private, even after she became well-known. Melissa liked focusing on her goals and living a peaceful life. It was this down-to-earth attitude that made her so well-liked by people who knew her.
Even when she was young, Melissa loved fashion and beauty. Little did she know, this passion would lead her to a career in modeling and later acting.
Her Career as a Model
In the 1990s, Melissa McKnight began her career as a model. She quickly became a recognizable face in the fashion industry. Melissa worked with some of the biggest names in modeling, including Elite Models in New York City.
She appeared on the covers of Vogue, Elle, and Cosmopolitan, three of the most famous fashion magazines in the world. Melissa’s tall height, blue eyes, and blonde hair made her perfect for beauty campaigns. She was admired for her natural look, and her career in modeling took off fast.
As a model, Melissa was successful and well-known, even before her relationship with Matt LeBlanc. This success gave her the confidence to try other things in her career, like acting.
Transition to Acting
After finding success as a model, Melissa McKnight decided to try acting. In 2001, she appeared in a short film called “Triangles and Tribulations”. She also made an appearance as herself in the VH1 show, “All Access”, in 2006.
Despite trying out acting, Melissa didn’t continue in that direction. She found that modeling suited her more. Acting didn’t feel as comfortable for her, so she decided to focus on what she knew best: modeling.
Even though her acting career was brief, it still brought her some attention and helped people get to know her better. But the real reason she became famous was her marriage to Matt LeBlanc.
Her First Marriage
Before meeting Matt LeBlanc, Melissa McKnight had already been married. In 1990, she married Anthony Robert Esposito, a filmmaker. Their wedding was private, and for a while, everything seemed happy.
During their marriage, they had two children: Tyler Esposito (born in 1991) and Jacqueline Esposito (born in 1995). Melissa became a full-time mom, balancing her modeling career with raising her kids.
Sadly, Melissa and Anthony’s marriage didn’t last. They divorced in 1996 after six years together. The reason for their divorce was listed as “irreconcilable differences”, which means they just couldn’t get along anymore. Even though their marriage ended, Melissa continued to be a loving mother to her children.
Meeting Matt LeBlanc
In 1997, Melissa McKnight’s life changed when she met Matt LeBlanc, the actor who was famous for his role as Joey Tribbiani on Friends. At that time, Matt was already a huge TV star.
They were introduced by a mutual friend named Kelly Phillips, who was married to actor Lou Diamond Phillips. From the moment they met, Melissa and Matt felt a strong connection. Their relationship grew quickly, and in 1999, Matt proposed to Melissa.
People were excited about their romance, especially fans of Friends, who were eager to see if this real-life love story would be just as exciting as the one on TV.
Marriage to Matt LeBlanc
Melissa McKnight and Matt LeBlanc got married on May 3, 2003. The wedding took place on a beautiful oceanfront cliff in Kauai, Hawaii, and about 150 guests attended. Famous Friends stars, including Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, and Courteney Cox, were there to celebrate with them.
After the wedding, the couple moved into a house in Encino, California. Life seemed perfect for a while. Melissa and Matt were often seen together at red carpet events, and their love for each other was clear to everyone. They looked like a perfect Hollywood couple.
But as we know, things aren’t always as perfect as they seem. Over the next few years, their relationship faced many challenges.
The Struggles with Their Daughter’s Health
Just a few months after Marina LeBlanc was born on February 8, 2004, the family faced a heartbreaking challenge. Marina, who was just eight months old at the time, began having seizures. After many tests, doctors diagnosed her with cortical dysplasia, a rare brain condition that affected her ability to walk and speak.
This news was a tough blow for both Melissa and Matt. They focused all their time and energy on getting the best care for Marina. Matt, who was at the peak of his Friends fame, even decided to take a step back from acting to be with his family. He later shared that being with his daughter during this difficult time was more important than any fame or career success.
Luckily, after about a year of treatments, Marina fully recovered. Today, she is a happy young woman, and Matt often shares moments with her, like watching Friends together. The recovery of their daughter strengthened the bond between Melissa and Matt, even though their relationship was already facing other challenges.
Why Did Melissa McKnight and Matt LeBlanc Divorce?
Sadly, despite their family struggles, Melissa McKnight and Matt LeBlanc couldn’t stay together. In 2006, they divorced after three years of marriage. The reason for their split was Matt’s infidelity. Reports suggested that Matt had been seeing other women, and rumors swirled about his behavior, including an incident at a strip club.
Melissa was reportedly shocked by the divorce. Her close friends said that she had hoped they could work things out through counseling. Unfortunately, Matt was not open to saving the marriage. In March 2006, he moved out of their home, and a few months later, his lawyer filed for divorce.
This was a painful time for Melissa, especially since they had just gone through so much with their daughter’s health. She was left to handle the emotional fallout of their split and the media attention surrounding it.
Life After the Divorce
After her divorce from Matt LeBlanc, Melissa McKnight chose to step away from the spotlight. She focused on living a private life, away from the public eye.
Unlike many celebrities who continue to seek attention after a divorce, Melissa has avoided social media and stayed out of Hollywood. She has spent most of her time raising her children, especially Marina, and living a peaceful, quiet life.
Many people respect Melissa for choosing privacy over fame. She didn’t let the divorce define her or her family. Instead, she focused on what mattered most—her children and her personal well-being.
Melissa McKnight’s Relationship with Her Children
Melissa McKnight is a proud mom to three children: Tyler Esposito, Jacqueline Esposito, and Marina Pearl LeBlanc.
Her two older children, Tyler and Jacqueline, are from her first marriage to Anthony Robert Esposito. Tyler works as a sound engineer, while Jacqueline studied fashion and graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in 2016. They have grown into independent adults, and Melissa continues to support them in their careers and life choices.
Her daughter, Marina, is now a young adult. After overcoming her health issues, she enjoys spending time with both Melissa and Matt, her dad. Marina’s relationship with her father is strong, and she has even been known to ask Matt about his experiences on Friends.
As a mother, Melissa has been involved in her children’s lives every step of the way. Even though she stays out of the public eye, it’s clear that family means everything to her.
Melissa McKnight’s Net Worth and Financial Life
Even though Melissa McKnight chose a quiet life away from fame, she is still financially stable. Her estimated net worth is around $1 million in 2025.
Most of her wealth came from her successful modeling career and a brief period of acting. Some reports also suggest that she may have received a financial settlement from her divorce with Matt LeBlanc, whose fortune is much larger.
Melissa has chosen not to flaunt her wealth, and she continues to live a simple and fulfilling life. She doesn’t seem interested in the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, preferring instead to live peacefully and focus on her family.
Where Is Melissa McKnight Now?
So, where is Melissa McKnight today? In 2025, she is still living a private life, away from the media and public attention. After her divorce from Matt LeBlanc, she decided to stay out of the spotlight and focus on her family.
She hasn’t been involved in any Hollywood projects for years, and she’s not active on social media. Melissa enjoys spending her time with her children, particularly Marina, and living life on her own terms.
Her decision to stay out of the public eye has earned her respect from many people who admire her for keeping her family’s privacy intact, even after such a high-profile marriage and divorce.
Final Thoughts
Melissa McKnight’s story is one of strength, resilience, and peace. She went from a successful model to a mother of three who faced hardship but kept moving forward with grace. Her marriage to Matt LeBlanc may have brought her fame, but it’s her personal journey that truly defines her.
Melissa is more than just Matt LeBlanc’s ex-wife—she’s a strong, loving mother who chose to live a life focused on family and privacy. Today, she continues to enjoy a quiet, fulfilling life, surrounded by the people she loves.
Even though she’s no longer in the spotlight, her story serves as a reminder that life can still be beautiful after hardship, and it’s never too late to choose peace over fame.
(FAQs)
Was Melissa McKnight in Friends?
Even though Melissa McKnight was married to Matt LeBlanc, who played Joey on Friends, she was never in the show.
What happened to Melissa McKnight and Matt LeBlanc?
Melissa McKnight and Matt LeBlanc got divorced in 2006. The reason was Matt’s cheating.
What is Melissa McKnight’s daughter’s health story?
Melissa’s daughter, Marina, had a brain condition when she was a baby, causing seizures. She got better after a year of treatment and is now healthy.
Did Melissa McKnight act in any movies?
Melissa McKnight appeared in one movie, “Triangles and Tribulations” in 2001, but her acting career was short.
How old is Melissa McKnight and when is her birthday?
Melissa McKnight was born on March 10, 1965, which makes her 61 years old in 2026.
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