ON THIS DAY: FRIENDS and the six characters who captured the world 31 years ago
Thirty-one years ago, the American sitcom FRIENDS premiered on NBC, introducing viewers to Rachel Green, Monica Geller, Phoebe Buffay, Joey Tribbiani, Chandler Bing, and Ross Geller.
What began as a sitcom about six young adults navigating life in New York went on to run for 10 seasons and 236 episodes, following the friends through careers, relationships, breakups, marriages, family milestones, and the many ups and downs of adulthood.
The show’s popularity also led to the spin-off Joey, which followed Joey Tribbiani after he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career, while the original cast reunited for the 2021 special Friends: The Reunion.
More than three decades after its premiere, here’s a look at the six main cast members, their beloved characters, and where they are now.
Jennifer Aniston played Rachel Green, the runaway bride who left her wedding and moved in with her childhood friend Monica in New York. Rachel initially relied on her family for financial support, but gradually learned to build a life of her own, starting as a waitress at Central Perk before pursuing a career in fashion. Her relationship with Ross became one of the central storylines of the series, with the pair eventually welcoming a daughter, Emma.
After FRIENDS ended in 2004, Jennifer continued her successful career in both film and television. She starred in movies including Marley & Me, Horrible Bosses, and Murder Mystery, before returning to television with Apple TV+’s The Morning Show, where she plays news anchor Alex Levy. The series’ fourth season premiered in 2025, with a fifth and final season announced for 2027.
Aside from acting, she has also ventured into the beauty industry with her haircare brand, LolaVie.
Courteney Cox portrayed Monica Geller, Ross’s younger sister and the organized, competitive chef of the group. Known for her love of cleanliness and cooking, Monica was often the one who kept everyone together. Her love story with Chandler became one of the show’s most memorable developments. What started as a friendship eventually turned into a relationship, leading to their marriage and the adoption of twins, Jack and Erica.
Following FRIENDS, Courteney continued her acting career, most notably starring in the sitcom Cougar Town. She also reprised her role as Gale Weathers in the Scream franchise and has worked as a producer and director.
Lisa Kudrow brought Phoebe Buffay to life, the group’s eccentric and free-spirited musician and masseuse. Known for her unusual personality, kind heart, and original songs such as “Smelly Cat,” Phoebe became one of the show’s most memorable characters. Behind her quirky personality was a more complicated past. Phoebe grew up in difficult circumstances and had to become independent at a young age, giving her character an emotional depth beyond her comedic moments.
After FRIENDS, Lisa continued working in television and film, including The Comeback, Web Therapy, and No Good Deed. She has also remained close to her former co-stars, particularly Jennifer and Courteney.
Matt LeBlanc played Joey Tribbiani, the group’s aspiring actor whose confidence, love for food, and loyal nature made him one of the show’s most endearing characters. Throughout FRIENDS, Joey experienced the ups and downs of trying to make it as an actor while remaining a dependable friend to the group.
Matt reprised the role in the spin-off Joey, which ran for two seasons after FRIENDS ended. He later starred in the comedy series Episodes, earning a Golden Globe Award for his performance, and went on to lead Man with a Plan.
David Schwimmer portrayed Ross Geller, Monica’s older brother and a paleontologist who was known for his complicated love life. His on-and-off relationship with Rachel became one of the show’s biggest storylines, while his three marriages and divorces also became recurring sources of humor throughout the series.
After FRIENDS, David continued working as an actor, director, and producer. He earned an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of Robert Kardashian in The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story and also appeared in projects including Goosebumps, The Laundromat, and the Madagascar franchise.
Matthew Perry played Chandler Bing, Ross’s longtime best friend and former college roommate who was known for his sarcastic humor and quick one-liners. While Chandler often used humor to hide his insecurities, his character eventually found a lasting relationship with Monica. Their romance became one of the series’ major storylines, eventually leading to marriage and the adoption of twins.
After FRIENDS, Matthew continued working in television and theater. He also became increasingly open about his struggles with addiction and recovery, later sharing his experiences in his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.
He died in October 2023, at the age of 54 due to acute effects of ketamine, with drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine listed as contributing factors.
Although FRIENDS ended its 10-season run in 2004, the bond among its six main characters remains one of the reasons the sitcom continues to resonate with audiences.
The six friends and the stories they shared around Central Perk, Monica’s apartment and their New York neighborhood continue to introduce new generations to the world of one of the beloved American sitcoms.