He has spent much of the last six years out of the limelight, working with his small theater group, the Lookingglass, in Chicago and trying to launch a career as a movie director.

He has had limited success as a director. His 2007 film "Run, Fat Boy, Run," a British romantic comedy, bombed at the box office, but USA Today said Schwimmer possessed filmmaking finesse "having wisely chosen strong comic material for his debut behind the camera."

In front of the camera, Schwimmer, 43, hasn't seen much action besides guest starring roles on "30 Rock" and "Entourage," where he played himself. Ironically, in the "Entourage" episode, agent Ari Gold tries to steer his career back to television.

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