What actor plays Monica's much older boyfriend on the TV show "Friends"?

Tom Selleck plays Monica’s much older boyfriend, Dr. Richard Burke, on Friends.

Richard is an ophthalmologist and a close friend of Monica’s father, Jack Geller. Monica first meets him while catering an event, and their relationship becomes serious despite their 21-year age difference. The age gap creates tension, particularly because Richard is part of her parents’ generation.

Their romance lasts through much of the show’s second and third seasons. The couple ultimately breaks up because Richard does not want more children, while Monica does. His adult children and grandchildren make the disagreement especially significant: he has already lived through the stage of family life Monica still hopes to begin.

Selleck’s performance made Richard one of Friends’ most memorable recurring guest characters. A common mix-up is identifying Richard only by Selleck’s appearance or mustache; the character’s full name is Dr. Richard Burke, and his profession is an eye doctor.