When Friends first aired in 1994, it was a cultural phenomenon. The iconic sitcom about six pals living in New York captured the hearts of millions, and it’s hard to imagine anyone other than Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer as the beloved “gang.” But the real question is: after a decade of playing best friends on-screen, are the Friends cast still friends in real life?
The answer is, yes, they absolutely are! The cast of Friends not only shared a special bond on-screen but formed genuine, lifelong friendships behind the scenes. Though they’ve each gone on to pursue different projects, the stars remain close and have expressed their deep affection for one another over the years. Here’s a look at how the Friends stars have maintained their real-life friendships.
1. Jennifer Aniston & Courteney Cox: Besties for Life
Why They’re Still Close:
Jennifer Aniston (Rachel) and Courteney Cox (Monica) have been best friends since the very beginning of Friends. Their off-screen bond was almost as strong as the one they portrayed on screen. Over the years, they’ve frequently been spotted together in social settings, from vacations to intimate dinners.
Aniston and Cox have supported each other through both personal and professional milestones. Cox was one of the first people Aniston called when she went through her divorce from Brad Pitt, and the two have spoken openly about how they help each other navigate the ups and downs of Hollywood. In fact, Cox even helped Aniston when she was struggling to deal with the public attention around her personal life.
The two also appeared together in multiple Instagram posts, celebrating holidays, birthdays, and even special moments like Aniston’s launch of her haircare brand, LolaVie.
Notable Moments:
- Cox’s 50th Birthday: Aniston celebrated Cox’s milestone birthday by posting a heartfelt message on Instagram, calling her “the greatest friend.”
- Instagram Reunion: In 2020, the pair shared an Instagram live session where they gushed over their friendship, reminiscing about their Friends days.
2. Lisa Kudrow & Jennifer Aniston: A Bond Beyond Phoebe and Rachel
Why They’re Still Close:
Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe) and Jennifer Aniston (Rachel) have always shared a strong, supportive friendship that goes beyond the Friends set. Aniston and Kudrow have often spoken about how their bond was one of the most comfortable and natural relationships to build on-screen. And in real life, their friendship has remained strong since the show’s end.
Kudrow has praised Aniston for her sense of humor, wit, and loyalty. Aniston, in return, admires Kudrow for her intelligence and down-to-earth nature. Both actresses have expressed how much they value each other’s friendship, and they’ve been seen together multiple times in both public and private settings.
Notable Moments:
- Reunion Appearances: During the 2021 Friends reunion special, Aniston and Kudrow shared heartfelt moments, with Aniston even joking that Kudrow was “like the cool older sister” on set.
- Instagram Posts: Aniston posted an Instagram story in 2020 showing herself and Kudrow sharing a laugh together, reinforcing their tight-knit friendship.
3. Matt LeBlanc & Matthew Perry: Still Brothers-in-Arms
Why They’re Still Close:
Matt LeBlanc (Joey) and Matthew Perry (Chandler) had one of the most iconic bromances on Friends, and their off-screen friendship is just as strong. Both LeBlanc and Perry have spoken about the deep bond they share, which was forged through years of working together.
LeBlanc has openly shared how he feels about his relationship with Perry, calling him one of his closest friends. Perry, for his part, has said that LeBlanc was a huge support for him during some tough personal times, including his struggles with addiction. The two have always had each other’s backs, whether in public or behind the scenes.
Though they haven’t been seen together as frequently as some of the other cast members, their friendship remains solid, and LeBlanc has made public statements reaffirming his closeness to Perry.
Notable Moments:
- LeBlanc’s Support for Perry: When Perry released his memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing in 2022, LeBlanc was quick to publicly support his friend, praising the book and Perry’s bravery in sharing his personal journey.
- Post-Friends Reunions: The pair has shared a few public appearances, including a brief reunion at the Friendsreunion special, where they talked about how they still keep in touch.
4. David Schwimmer & Jennifer Aniston: A Real-Life Ross & Rachel Friendship
Why They’re Still Close:
David Schwimmer (Ross) and Jennifer Aniston (Rachel) were at the center of the show’s iconic on-again, off-again romance. Although their characters had a tumultuous relationship on-screen, in real life, Schwimmer and Aniston developed a deep and lasting friendship.
The two have often spoken about their strong connection, describing it as a “brother-sister” bond. Schwimmer, who tends to be a more private person, has said that Aniston has always been there for him, especially during tough times. The two have occasionally reunited for projects, including appearing together in the Friends reunion special in 2021, where they reminisced about their experiences.
Schwimmer and Aniston have remained good friends through the years and have often shared moments of joy and camaraderie.
Notable Moments:
- 2021 Reunion Special: Schwimmer and Aniston admitted that they had a “secret crush” on each other during the early days of Friends, but their real-life friendship has been completely platonic.
- Public Support: Schwimmer publicly expressed his support for Aniston’s efforts in Hollywood, particularly her work with her haircare brand.
5. The Cast as a Whole: The Friends Family That Never Split Up
Why They’re Still Close:
Though each member of the Friends cast has their own individual friendships, there’s no doubt that the entire group shares a unique bond. They have all, at various points, mentioned how much they value their time together during the show and how it cemented their lifelong friendships. While they don’t hang out together as much as they did in their Friends heyday, the group still comes together for major events, celebrations, and, of course, the occasional reunion.
They’ve all spoken about the lasting friendships they’ve built and have frequently shown support for one another’s personal and professional achievements. Whether it’s for milestone birthdays, intimate gatherings, or projects like the Friends reunion, the cast still gets together and cherishes their time together.
Notable Moments:
- The 2021 Reunion Special: The Friends reunion, which aired in May 2021 on HBO Max, was proof that the group is still incredibly close. The cast laughed, cried, and reminisced about their time on the show, showing that their bond has only deepened over the years.
- Social Media Love: Many cast members have posted sweet messages for one another on birthdays, holidays, or when supporting new projects, showing their enduring friendship.
Conclusion: True Friendship Beyond the Screen
The cast of Friends is still very much a close-knit group in real life. Whether it’s the enduring bond between Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox, the support between Matt LeBlanc and Matthew Perry, or the deep friendships shared by all six of them, the Friends cast has managed to maintain the kind of relationships we can all aspire to. In a world where celebrity friendships can sometimes feel fleeting, their continued closeness is a beautiful reminder that the bonds they formed during the show are genuine and lasting.
So, while we’ll never see Friends reunite for new episodes, we can rest assured knowing that the cast members remain the best of friends behind the scenes—and we’ll always have that to hold onto.
