The cast of Chicago Fire boasts an impressive lineup of seasoned actors with diverse and fascinating careers. Among them is Season 13 newcomer Dermot Mulroney, who portrays Chief Dom Pascal. While fans may know him from romantic comedies like My Best Friend’s Wedding and The Wedding Date, or his role in New Girl, many are surprised to learn that Mulroney also appeared in the iconic sitcom Friends.
Mulroney’s time on Friends was brief but memorable. The actor appeared in three episodes during Season 9 as Gavin Mitchell, Rachel Green’s (Jennifer Aniston) sharp-dressed and spiky-haired colleague at Polo Ralph Lauren. Gavin was hired as Rachel’s maternity leave replacement, but his confident and slightly abrasive demeanor didn’t sit well with her at first.
Gavin and Rachel: A Short-Lived Office Romance
Despite their rocky start, sparks eventually flew between Gavin and Rachel. The pair shared a kiss on Rachel’s balcony during her birthday party, marking a brief but exciting detour in the ongoing “will-they-won’t-they” dynamic between Rachel and Ross. However, Rachel’s lingering feelings for Ross ultimately led to her ending things with Gavin before their romance could fully blossom.
Though his stint on Friends was short, Gavin remains a fan-favorite character remembered for his witty banter and charming chemistry with Rachel.
Dermot Mulroney Reflects on His Friends Role
During a 2020 interview with Access Hollywood, Mulroney admitted that he hadn’t thought about his role as Gavin for years—until Friends landed on Netflix and reignited its global popularity.
“I was being stopped on the street as Gavin, and it did take me a moment to remember when I had played a Gavin,” Mulroney confessed. “I was only there for three episodes.”
Interestingly, Mulroney revealed that he was offered an additional three episodes but turned them down, citing scheduling conflicts at the time.
“Bad judgement,” he admitted. “There were scheduling issues, but I’ve since learned that those just get worked out. Turns out people wanted to see some Gavin. I didn’t know. I underestimated the power of that show, even when it was a top show when I did it.”
From Sitcom Star to Firehouse Chief
Today, Mulroney is earning praise as Chief Dom Pascal on Chicago Fire. His transition from a polished sitcom character to the rugged and commanding leader of Firehouse 51 highlights his impressive range as an actor.
On joining Chicago Fire, Mulroney shared how the experience has brought him full circle in unexpected ways.
“I’m running into people I worked with decades ago,” he revealed. “Even more interestingly, I’m working with their kids now. For example, Marissa, who does my hair, is the daughter of the set painter from My Best Friend’s Wedding.”
Mulroney expressed gratitude for being part of such a tightly knit cast and well-run production.
“It’s amazing. First of all, it’s nice to have a steady job for once,” he joked. “Thank you, NBC, for that. What took so long? And to be working with an incredible cast that are so close with each other—it’s really special.”
A Career of Memorable Roles
From his brief but impactful role as Gavin Mitchell on Friends to his current turn as Chief Pascal, Dermot Mulroney continues to prove his versatility and charm as an actor. Whether he’s navigating workplace drama or leading a team of firefighters, Mulroney’s presence on screen remains as compelling as ever.
