‘Friends’ Cast, 25 Years Later: Who’s Had the Best Career — and What Should They Do Next?

“Friends” — Their Careers So Far, Ranked

Though some of the cast was known prior to “Friends,” this series launched them into another stratosphere — a level of stardom that gave them the financial security and audience draw to do just about anything they wanted, while it also came with the curse of only seeing each actor as their “Friends” character.

They all found a way to balance perceptions with reality, either leaning into audience expectations or steering clear in order to pave a new path. But who’s been the most successful? If “Friends” was the launching pad, who’s landed a prime spot in the stars? Among the cast of six — Matthew Perry, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, and Lisa Kudrow — who’s succeeding artistically, commercially, or both? 

One thing’s clear, 25 years later: “Friends” isn’t drifting out of the zeitgeist, and neither are its actors. So take a look back on what they’ve done since “Friends,” and let’s consider together what we want to see them do next. 

6. Courteney Cox

Bottom Line: Courteney Cox was one of the better known cast members when “Friends” began — the front-row dancer pulled onstage by Bruce Springsteen, Alex P. Keaton’s girlfriend on “Family Ties,” Jerry Seinfeld’s girlfriend on “Seinfeld,” and the Miami Dolphins’ best publicist in “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” — and she had one of the better runs while “Friends” was on the air, too, courtesy of the “Scream” franchise. And among the main cast, she also has the longest-running series post-“Friends,” thanks to six seasons of “Cougar Town” spread across two networks. But aside from a few guest starring spots over the last five years, good roles have been hard to come by. She’s moved into producing (including “Cougar Town” and three seasons of “Celebrity Name Game,” among other projects), but her directing experience on “CT” didn’t translate into more gigs and her behind-the-scenes endeavors have yet to bring her another prominent part.

Peaks: The “Scream” Franchise, “Cougar Town”

Misfires: “Dirt” (see photo), “3000 Miles to Graceland,” “Scream 4”

“Scream 4” (2011)

What’s Next: Cox’s Facebook watch documentary series “Nine Months with Courteney Cox” has been renewed for a second season. She’s serving as an executive producer of Maz Jobrani’s untitled Fox pilot, which is an animated series about three generations of immigrants adjusting to life in America.

What They Should Do After That: Monica had the tendency of being a bit uptight, but Cox has a talent for getting downright nasty. “Dirt,” the one-and-a-half season FX drama, wasn’t a mistake because she couldn’t handle a serious role — it just wasn’t a good show. (Not even a guest stint from Jennifer Aniston in the Season 1 finale — where she and Cox kiss — could make this “‘Nip/Tuck’ for gossip writers” watchable.) Cox needs to embrace a satiric comedy like “Veep,” or a find a juicy supporting role in a dark drama like “Billions.” We don’t need another four-quadrant sitcom (though I’m sure she could make some money following Matt LeBlanc to CBS).

5. Matthew Perry

Bottom Line: Perry was a TV regular before “Friends” — as a series regular in “Boys Will Be Boys,” “Sydney,” and “Home Free” — and he’s continued to land regular starring gigs after (duh). The main difference is a pivot from comedy to drama, only to segue slowly back toward the laughs. Perry set up his transition from the funniest, wisecracking Friend to respectable dramatic lead by snagging a recurring role on “The West Wing” during “Friends'” final seasons. He netted two Emmy nominations for his work and, even better, he landed the coveted co-lead in Aaron Sorkin’s next big drama… “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.” A critical and commercial flop canceled after one season, Perry wasn’t really the problem, but he tilted back toward comedy anyway — only now, his sitcoms were laced with gloom, like “Mr. Sunshine” (an ABC single-cam sitcom about a depressed manager of an arena in Florida), “Go On” (an NBC single-cam sitcom about a depressed sports radio host who goes to a support group), and, finally, an “Odd Couple” reboot at CBS. The latter lasted three seasons, but it was also the most conventional offering Perry helped create. (He developed, produced, and/or wrote each of these three post-“Friends” comedies.) Still, his biggest successes have come in supporting roles on dramas, and he’s still trying to find the next full-time project that fits his current interests.

“Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip” (NBC, 2006)

Peaks: “The Whole Nine Yards,” “17 Again,” “The West Wing,” “The Ron Clark Story,” “The Good Fight”

Misfires: “Almost Heroes” (previous photo), “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” (this photo), “Mr. Sunshine” (next photo)

“Mr Sunshine” (ABC, 2010)

What’s Next: After a tricky surgery, Perry is just trying to stay healthy and happy.

What They Should Do After That: Assuming he’s up for it, Perry should keep chasing his love of the stage. His debut play, “The End of Longing,” received mixed reviews, but Perry’s interest in writing is better utilized in plays that feel like sitcoms than sitcoms that are CBS sitcoms. (“The Odd Couple,” which Perry helped develop, wasn’t that bad, but it felt like a regression for a comedian who’s willing to go dark.) He should keep snagging prestigious guest roles, keep finding writers who will challenge him, and keep writing his own material to find what really clicks.

4. David Schwimmer

Bottom Line: With early recurring roles on “The Wonder Years,” “L.A. Law,” and “NYPD Blue” — plus a series regular gig next to Henry Winkler in “Monty” — Schwimmer was a coveted actor before “Friends” came along, with a degree from Northwestern and training in improv. He flashed early potential as a character actor, but the size of “Friends” (and fans’ dislike for his character, Ross) narrowed his options while the series was at its peak. He was the cheating fiance who made it OK for Anne Heche to end up with Harrison Ford in “Six Days, Seven Nights,” a despised captain in HBO’s “Band of Brothers,” and a down-on-his-luck divorcee in the Sundance dud “Duane Hopwood.” People didn’t want to see Schwimmer as the hero, so he started finding new paths to artistic success: He stepped behind the camera, directing episodes of “Friends” as early as 1999, Matt LeBlanc’s “Joey” spinoff in 2005, and then moved into movies with “Run Fat Boy Run” and “Trust.” Meanwhile, he snagged guest star roles in his friends’ series (including memorable stints on “Web Therapy” and “Episodes”), along with a profitable voice acting spot in the “Madagascar” movies. But lately, Schwimmer has re-emerged as a wanton face: He was Emmy-nominated for “The People v. O.J. Simpson” and has made a great recurring guest star on “Will & Grace.” Sure, “Feed the Beast” tanked, but that was far from Schwimmer’s fault.

“The People v. O.J. Simpson” (FX, 2016)

Peaks: “Six Days, Seven Nights,” “Band of Brothers,” the “Madagascar” franchise, “American Crime Story: The People vs. O.J. Simpson”

Misfires: “Run Fatboy Run,” “Feed the Beast”

“Feed the Beast” (AMC, 2016)

What’s Next: Schwimmer has a roll in Steven Soderbergh’s upcoming Netflix film, “The Laundromat” (alongside Meryl Streep). He’s also developing another directing project, “Thank You For Being a Friend,” and he’s a series regular in the Sky 1 workplace comedy, “Intelligence.”

What They Should Do After That: Schwimmer has developed into a strong all-around actor. He can make any difficult decision look torturous (see: “The Laundromat” trailer), but he can also make an absolute fool of himself at just the right pitch (see: “30 Rock”). His comedic skills lay in how he reacts to everyone and everything around him, which is typically an indicator of any good actor (they listen). Smart, British comedies are a good fit, but if he wants to keep running the table as a sitcom guest, he’ll be beloved again in no time. He may not be the draw in a good drama, but he’d be a strong addition to any ensemble.

3. Matt LeBlanc

Bottom Line: Prior to “Friends,” Matt LeBlanc was mainly known for “Married… With Children.” He snagged a recurring role on the Fox comedy that earned him two starring roles in two separate spinoff attempts (“Top of the Heap,” pictured, and “Vinnie and Bobby”). Neither lasted very long, but a pattern was set and LeBlanc followed up “Friends” with the only spinoff (so far), “Joey” — which ran for two seasons despite pretty bad reviews throughout. Later, he’d play a version of himself in Showtime’s “Episodes.” That one worked, landing him a Golden Globe and running for five acclaimed seasons. In between, he tried his hand at action movies with the so-so movie version of “Lost in Space” and two equally mediocre “Charlie’s Angels” films. But now he’s back to sitcoms, entering his third season on the CBS series “Man with a Plan.” Despite working a bit less than some of his peers and staying within a pretty narrow range of roles, LeBlanc has found commercial and critical success since “Friends” ended — Joey would be proud.

“Joey” (NBC, 2004)

Peaks: “Charlie’s Angels,” “Episodes,” “Top Gear” (host)

Misfires: “Ed,” “Lost in Space,” “All the Queen’s Men”

What’s Next: “Man With a Plan” Season 3 premieres in February. 

Usa Golden Globe Awards 2012 – Jan 2012

What They Should Do After That: LeBlanc, who’s happy to be working a little but not looking to push himself too far, is in a pretty good position. Given how effective he was at meta mockery (and subtle moments of comical heartbreak) on “Episodes,” it would be nice to see him take on a few more dark comedies that utilize his blue sense of humor, but if the car enthusiast is looking to live a happy life outside of the Hollywood grind, that’s what his “Friends” money is for. 

2. Lisa Kudrow

Bottom Line: Quick — who has the most Emmy nominations of all the “Friends”? Yup, it’s Kudrow, and it’s not even close. Her 14 nominations (six for “Friends,” eight for post-“Friends” programs) easily outpace LeBlanc’s seven and Aniston’s six (though she did win one). This kind of goldmine supports an argument many have always believed: Kudrow is the best actor of the cast. She did the most with her eccentric, fascinating character, and she’s been able to distance herself from Phoebe with that same eye for great writing and variant roles. (She’s been in everything from “Grace and Frankie” to “Scandal” to “P.S. I Love You” since “Friends” ended.) “The Comeback’s” Valerie Cherish is as much of a cult favorite as Phoebe is a popular pick, and Kudrow created that Emmy-nominated comedy along with another: “Web Therapy,” which was first a web series and later a Showtime original. Kudrow’s done extremely well for herself in terms of finding new, challenging roles — she’s just come up short on the star vehicles, either facing early cancellation (like “The Comeback”) or never breaking big (“Web Therapy” and too many movies).

“Hanging Up” (2000)

Peaks: “Mad About You,” “Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion,” “The Comeback,” “Analyze This,” “Easy A,” “Web Therapy”

Misfires: “Hanging Up,” “Lucky Numbers,” “Marci X,” “Wonderland”

“Web Therapy” (Showtime, 2011)

What’s Next: Kudrow is doing more voice work in the Fox animated comedy “Therapy Dog” (from Clea DuVall and Sharon Horgan); she’s a series regular in Mae Martin’s Channel 4 series “Feel Good,” and she’s an executive producer and series regular alongside Whitney Cummings in the Amazon original series, “Good People.” She’s also an EP on the docuseries “Who Do You Think You Are” and the gameshow “25 Words or Less.”

What They Should Do After That: She’s pretty much already doing it. Kudrow isn’t exactly haunted by Phoebe’s ghost — strategic picks that show off her range and precision helped shake the feeling that you’re only watching Phoebe when you see Kudrow. But she still plays a lot of eccentric supporting parts (in a similar function as Phoebe), and that might be enough. Considering how she surrounds herself with talented people and makes the most out of every opportunity, it feels like just a matter of time until she’s in another strong series. Hopefully, she keeps writing her own parts, too. Seeing more from the mind behind “The Comeback” and “Web Therapy” is always a good idea.

1. Jennifer Aniston

Bottom Line: The only “Friends” success story without a caveat or two, Jennifer Aniston used the blockbuster NBC sitcom as a launching pad to movie stardom and A-list status. She’s had six films crack $100 million at the box office and half of those have debuted this decade. She’s about to launch a highly anticipated TV series that could put her back in the awards race and has already netted her a nice payday. She’s been in cult favorites (“Office Space”), indie darlings (“The Good Girl”), mega blockbusters (“Bruce Almighty”), and she’s still willing to swing in for guest spots on TV (“Cougar Town,” “30 Rock,” “South Park,” “King of the Hill,” and even the aforementioned “Dirt”). Her “woman next door” affability is intact, while her dramatic bonafides are getting harder and harder to dispute. She’s ready for anything.

Peaks: “The Good Girl,” “Bruce Almighty,” “Marley & Me,” “The Break-Up,” “Just Go With It,” “Horrible Bosses,” “We’re the Millers,” “Friends With Money”

Misfires: “Picture Perfect,” “The Object of My Affection,” “Rock Star,” “Derailed,” “Rumor Has It…,” “Mother’s Day,” “Cake”

“Cake” (2014)

What’s Next: “The Morning Show” hits Apple TV+ on November 1, while Aniston has a slew of projects in development. Leading the way are “The Fixer” (a true story adapted by Melisa Wallack) and “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (adapted from Mark Haddon’s 2003 novel, written and directed by Steve Kloves).

What They Should Do After That: Back to the indies. Aniston is a well-established draw, pulling in consistent box office dollars (and substantial Netflix viewers), so the best thing she can do is solidify her image as a respected thespian. “The Good Girl” broke through with a lot of critics, while “Cake” never quite hit the Oscar heights some anticipated. If “The Morning Show” is a hit, she won’t have much time for other big projects, so taking on a hard-and-fast, low-budget, passion project would be a savvy move to bolster prestige while pushing herself to new edges. Wouldn’t it be great to see Aniston as, say, a weird Yorgos Lanthimos joint, or playing a nerdy, quiet type in Steven Soderbergh’s next pseudo comedy?