The unexpected back-story of how the cast of Friends actually came to be on the

show

When Friends burst onto the scene in 1994, it launched six relatively unknown actors into super-stardom. Over the course of a decade (and 10 seasons) we grew with the Friends cast, Chandler,

Monica, Joey, Phoebe, Rachel and Ross, watching them go from 20-somethings to fully-fledged adults with careers, relationships and babies. The show cemented itself into pop culture iconicity,

birthing catchphrases, haircuts and an unabating plethora of fans from Gen Xers to Millennials and even Gen Zs.

While the world is still reeling from the untimely death of Matthew Perry, we’re looking back on the Friends cast and what they have been up to since the iconic series wrapped up almost 20 years ago.

Matthew Perry (Chandler Bing)

Matthew Perry stole our hearts with the boyish charm and blunt sarcasm he brought to the character of Chandler Bing. Whilst its hard to imagine any other combination of actors besides the iconic Friends cast, Matthew Perry almost didn’t play the iconic role. In a 2015 interview with Seth Meyers, Perry recalled how “terrible” manager signed him up for a show called LAX 2194 that was about baggage handlers at LA Airport in the year 2194.

Perry read the script for Chandler Bing and loved the role but was already locked into an air-tight contract with LAX 2194. The actor almost had to pass on the role until a Fox executive watched the sci-fi show and called it called it “The worst thing we’ve ever seen in our lives,” according to Perry, who was immediately released from his contract and well… the rest is history!

Matthew Perry wears a striped shirt for a promotional shoot for Friends
Following the finale of Friends, Perry picked up a few movie roles including a part in the film 17 Again alongside Zac Efron. Besides his work as an actor, Perry also became a public advocate for those struggling with addiction, which he was transparent about in numerous interviews and his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers And The Big Terrible Thing. The actor was also a celebrity spokesperson for the National Association of Drug Court Professionals in support of funding for drug courts and was in the midst of launching a foundation to help those with addiction when he unexpectedly died on October 28, 2023.

Friends actor Matthew Perry who played Chandler Bing on Friends attends 2022 GQ Men Of The Year Party Hosted By Global Editorial Director Will Welch

Jennifer Aniston (Rachel Green)

The daughter of two Hollywood stars, Jennifer Aniston was always destined for greatness. Aniston’s portrayal of the spoiled, yet sweet, Rachel Green made her an overnight sensation.

Previously, Aniston had starred in the television adaptation of Ferris Bueller and had just landed a role on Muddling Through when she read the script for Friends. Much like her co-star, Matthew Perry, Aniston loved the role but was locked into another series which prevented her from accepting the gig.

Talking to Gayle King, Aniston recalled the sage advice she was given by a showrunner when she accepted the role of Rachel Green on Friends. “‘I’ve seen that show Friends,’” Aniston recalled to King. “I saw the pilot. That’s not going to make you a star. This show will make you a star.” and, well… we all know how that story ended.

Jennifer Aniston portrays Rachel Green from Friends wearing a black mini dress and heels whilst sporting the rachel haircut
Aniston, now 54, enjoyed relative and consistent success following the finale of Friends in 2004. The actress found herself in a number of comedy films such as the Horrible Bosses movies (2011 and 2014), We’re the Millers (2013), and starred alongside Adam Sandler in Just Go With It (2011) and Murder Mystery (2019 and 2023).