If you were watching TV in the late nineties, you probably remember the "Yeti." No, not the mythical snow creature, but the ruggedly handsome, slightly unkempt guy who lived in Monica and Rachel’s building. For a few episodes in Season 5, he was the center of a pretty bizarre romantic arc. George Newbern is the actor who played Danny on Friends, and honestly, he’s one of those "hey, I know that guy!" actors who has been in basically everything since the eighties.
Danny wasn't just another random boyfriend for Rachel Greene. He was a catalyst. He represented a shift in how the show handled guest stars, moving away from simple cameos toward multi-episode "arcs" that tested the main characters' sanity. But let's be real. Most people remember Danny less for his looks and more for that incredibly uncomfortable relationship he had with his sister. It was a weird time for NBC.
Why George Newbern Was the Perfect Danny
When we first meet Danny in "The One with the Yeti," he's unrecognizable. He’s covered in hair, wearing a massive coat, and lurking in the basement of the apartment building. Rachel and Monica actually fog-spray him because they’re terrified. It’s a classic Friends slapstick moment. Once he shaves, though, the "Yeti" is revealed to be the clean-cut, blue-eyed George Newbern.
Newbern brought a specific kind of energy to the role. He wasn't a "try-hard." While Ross was neurotic and Joey was... well, Joey, Danny was nonchalant. He didn't seem to care if Rachel liked him or not. That "playing hard to get" vibe is exactly what drove Rachel crazy. Before Friends, Newbern was already a bit of a household face, primarily known for playing Bryan MacKenzie in Father of the Bride (1991) alongside Steve Martin and Diane Keaton. He had that "boy next door" charm down to a science, which made the later twist in his character even more jarring for the audience.
It’s interesting to look back at his career trajectory. He wasn’t just a one-hit-wonder guest star. If you’re a DC Comics fan, you know his voice better than his face. George Newbern took over for Tim Daly as the voice of Superman/Clark Kent in the Justice League and Justice League Unlimited animated series. He’s also the voice of Sephiroth in the Final Fantasy franchise (specifically Kingdom Hearts II and Advent Children).
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The Arc That Went From Zero to One Hundred
The Danny saga lasted for three episodes: "The One with the Yeti," "The One with the Mutant Tree," and "The One with the Inappropriate Sister."
At first, it’s a standard "will-they-won't-they" setup. Rachel is intrigued by his indifference. She tries to play it cool, which she is notoriously bad at doing. They eventually start dating, and for a second, it looks like Danny might be a long-term addition to the cast. He was grounded. He was mature. He was a traveler.
Then came the sister.
In "The One with the Inappropriate Sister," we meet Krista (played by Julie Lauren). The "joke"—if you can call it that—is that Danny and his sister are way too close. We're talking about tickle fights, communal baths, and a level of physical intimacy that made the live studio audience (and everyone at home) audibly groan. It was a sharp left turn for the show’s writing. Usually, Friends stayed in the realm of relatable dating woes. This was just... dark.
Why did they write him off so fast?
A lot of fans wonder why Danny disappeared so abruptly. Usually, when a guest star has this much buildup, they stick around for a while. Think about Tag or Mike Hannigan. But Danny was gone in a flash.
The reality of 90s sitcoms is that guest arcs were often experimental. If a character’s "quirk" didn't land well with test audiences or if the chemistry felt off, the writers would pivot. The "creepy sister" plotline was essentially a giant "EXIT" sign for George Newbern’s character. It made Danny instantly undateable for Rachel, providing a quick resolution so the show could move back toward the Ross and Rachel tension. It’s a shame, really. Newbern is a fantastic actor, but Danny became a footnote because of a bathhouse joke.
Beyond the Central Perk Couch: Newbern's Lasting Legacy
It’s funny how we pigeonhole actors. To some, George Newbern will always be the guy who married Annie Banks in Father of the Bride. To others, he’s the definitive voice of the Man of Steel. To Friends fanatics, he’s just the guy who liked his sister a little too much.
Since his stint on the show, Newbern has stayed incredibly busy. You might have spotted him on:
- Scandal: He played Charlie, the B613 assassin/tech whiz. It was a huge departure from his nice-guy roles.
- Grey's Anatomy: Like every actor in Hollywood, he eventually made an appearance at Grey Sloan Memorial.
- Granite Flats: A more recent series where he showed off his dramatic range.
He’s one of the most prolific working actors in the industry. He’s proof that you don't need to be one of the "six" to have a massive, sustained career in Hollywood. He’s appeared in over 100 different projects across film, TV, and voice acting.
What Fans Still Get Wrong About Danny
There's a common misconception that Danny was meant to be a villain. He wasn't. In the scripts, he was written as a genuine love interest who just happened to have a "blind spot" regarding his family dynamics. He wasn't malicious; he was just oblivious.
Another thing people forget? The timeline. Danny appeared right in the middle of the London fallout. Ross and Emily were imploding. Chandler and Monica were still keeping their relationship a secret. The show was chaotic, and Danny was supposed to be the "normal" guy who proved that the main group was actually the weird ones. Ironically, he ended up being the weirdest of all.
How to Spot a George Newbern Performance
If you want to see the range of the man who played Danny, don't just stick to Friends.
- Watch Father of the Bride. He is the ultimate straight man to Steve Martin’s frantic energy. His performance is understated but essential to the film's heart.
- Listen to Justice League. Listen to the authority and warmth he brings to Superman. It’s widely considered one of the best interpretations of the character ever recorded.
- Check out Scandal. If you want to see "Danny" turn into a cold-blooded killer, this is the one.
George Newbern’s tenure as Danny might have been short, but it remains one of the most talked-about guest spots because of how bizarrely it ended. It serves as a time capsule of 1998 humor—a mix of genuine romance and "ew" factor that only a show like Friends could pull off.
What to do next if you're a Friends fan
If you're doing a deep dive into the guest stars of Friends, don't stop at George Newbern. Take a look at the other "building residents" who popped up. Remember Mr. Heckles? Or the "Hot Girl" from the other building? The show used its setting—a New York apartment complex—to cycle through character actors who would go on to lead their own shows.
Next time you’re watching Season 5, pay attention to the subtext of the Danny episodes. It wasn't just about Rachel's dating life; it was the writers testing the waters to see how far they could push "weird" humor before the audience pushed back. Turns out, the limit was a grown man having a tickle fight with his sister.
For those interested in the craft of acting, follow George Newbern’s voiceover work. He often does interviews about the transition from on-camera acting to the recording booth, providing a lot of insight into how to maintain a career for over thirty years in a fickle industry. He remains a class act and a staple of American television history.