After Friends: What Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox and other actors starred in
Some conquered the big screen, while others had to find a new path after audiences became used to seeing them in just one role (collage: Styler)
In 2004, millions of viewers said goodbye to Monica, Rachel, Phoebe, Ross, Chandler, and Joey. Over ten seasons, Friends became one of the most successful sitcoms in television history, and its cast members became household names. However, the show's finale did not mean that all six actors would go on to enjoy equally successful careers.
RBC-Ukraine looks at what the six cast members did after Friends ended, which projects became career milestones, and who is still actively working in film and television.
Jennifer Aniston: From waitress Rachel to one of Hollywood's biggest stars
Jennifer Aniston, who played Rachel Green, went on to build one of the most successful careers among the six cast members after Friends ended. Unlike many actors who remain closely associated with a single role in viewers' minds, she quickly proved that she could work across different genres.
Aniston initially focused on romantic comedies. Some of her best-known films include Along Came Polly (2004), Marley & Me (2008), Just Go with It (2011), Horrible Bosses (2011), and We're the Millers (2013). The last film became a notable entry in her filmography for her comedic portrayal of a woman forced to pretend to be part of someone else's family.
Rachel Green (TV series still)
Later, the actress began taking on more challenging dramatic roles. In Cake (2014), she played a woman going through a personal crisis. The performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
Jennifer Aniston in Cake (movie still)
A new major chapter in her career began in 2019 with the series The Morning Show. Aniston played TV anchor Alex Levy and also served as one of the show's executive producers. Her co-star was Reese Witherspoon. The series won several prestigious awards, and Aniston won a Screen Actors Guild Award.
Courteney Cox: Monica is in past, but Gale Weathers is still with her
After playing Monica Geller, Courteney Cox avoided being typecast in a single role. Even before Friends ended, the actress had already played journalist Gale Weathers in the horror film Scream (1996). Over time, the role became another major trademark of her career.
Monica Geller (TV series still)
Cox appeared in every subsequent installment of the franchise, including Scream 7, which was released in 2026. Her character has come a long way, evolving from an ambitious journalist into a central figure in the film series.
Courteney Cox in Scream 7 (movie still)
Another major project was the comedy series Cougar Town, in which the actress played Jules Cobb from 2009 to 2015. It told the story of a divorced woman trying to start a new chapter, build relationships, and raise her son. Cox received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance.
Courteney Cox in Cougar Town (TV series still)
The actress also tried her hand at directing. In 2014, she released the film Just Before I Go and later worked on the horror-comedy series Shining Vale.
She also worked in business. In 2022, Cox launched Homecourt, a brand of home and body care products. In a September 2026 interview with AOL, she discussed her creative projects and admitted that she enjoys working on stories that unfold over many years.
Lisa Kudrow: After Phoebe, she created her own cult comedy series
After Friends ended, Lisa Kudrow, who played the eccentric Phoebe Buffay, did not try to recreate her best-known character. Instead, she focused on original comedy projects that allowed her to showcase a completely different side of her talent.
Phoebe Buffay (TV series still)
As early as 2005, the actress launched the series The Comeback, in which she played Valerie Cherish, a former TV star trying to regain her popularity. Interestingly, the character's story satirizes the entertainment industry, its obsession with ratings, and celebrities' desire to stay in the spotlight.
Lisa Kudrow in The Comeback (TV series still)
The show was initially canceled after its first season but returned nine years later. It eventually became one of HBO's most acclaimed comedy series. Its third and final season premiered in 2026. In an interview with Variety, Kudrow said she and co-creator Michael Patrick King worked on the scripts for all eight episodes.
Lisa Kudrow in The Girl on the Train (movie still)
Another notable project was the comedy series Web Therapy, in which the actress played Fiona Wallice, a self-absorbed psychotherapist. She also appeared in the films The Girl on the Train, Long Shot, and Neighbors, as well as the series Space Force.
Matt LeBlanc: Joey failed to repeat Friends' success
After the sitcom ended, Matt LeBlanc found himself in a difficult position. His character, Joey Tribbiani, was so popular that the creators decided to continue his story in a separate series.
Joey Tribbiani (TV series still)
The spin-off Joey premiered in 2004. In the series, the character moves to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career. However, without the rest of the gang, he no longer had the same magic that had made him a fan favorite. The show failed to live up to expectations and was canceled after two seasons.
That didn't mean LeBlanc's career was over, though. In 2011, he returned to television with the series Episodes. What made the project unique was that the actor played a fictionalized version of himself. In the story, he lands the lead role in an American adaptation of a British series but gradually interferes with the writers' work and changes the show's original concept.
Matt LeBlanc in Episodes (TV series still)
The role became one of LeBlanc's most significant professional achievements after Friends. In 2012, he won a Golden Globe for his performance.
The actor later hosted the car show Top Gear from 2016 to 2019. He also starred in the sitcom Man with a Plan, which aired from 2016 to 2020.
After the series ended, LeBlanc gradually stepped away from acting. He makes fewer public appearances and has shown little interest in returning to regular filming. According to People, in recent years the actor has preferred private life to the fast pace of Hollywood.
David Schwimmer: From paleontologist Ross to Kardashians' lawyer
After Friends ended, David Schwimmer didn't limit himself to comedy roles. The actor, whom viewers had come to know as the somewhat awkward Ross Geller, began actively exploring other genres.
Ross Geller (TV series still)
One of his most notable roles was Robert Kardashian in the 2016 series The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story. It told the story of the high-profile trial of former American football star O. J. Simpson. Schwimmer played an attorney on Simpson's defense team. The performance earned him an Emmy nomination.
David Schwimmer in The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story (TV series still)
However, many viewers also remember Schwimmer for his voice work in animation. He voiced Melman the giraffe in the Madagascar franchise. His character, an anxious giraffe who is overly concerned about his health, became one of the animated films' most beloved characters.
The actor also worked as a director and appeared in the series Will & Grace and Intelligence. In 2025, he appeared in the series Goosebumps.
Matthew Perry: Chandler's success and the personal struggle he revealed in his memoir
Matthew Perry, who played Chandler Bing, had the most tragic story of the six actors. After Friends ended, he continued acting, but he never replicated the success of the iconic sitcom.
Chandler Bing (TV series still)
One of Perry's notable roles was in the comedy 17 Again (2009), in which he played the older version of Zac Efron's character. The actor also appeared in the series The Good Wife, Mr. Sunshine, Go On, and The Odd Couple.
At the same time, Perry was going through a difficult period away from the screen. For many years, he spoke openly about his struggles with addiction and his efforts to turn his life around.
Matthew Perry in 17 Again (movie still)
In 2022, the actor released his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. In it, he opened up about his childhood, rise to fame, work on the series, and personal struggles. The book offered a candid account of someone who had endured many hardships behind the scenes of his success.
On October 29, 2023, Matthew Perry died at the age of 54. According to the medical examiner's report, the cause of death was the acute effects of ketamine.
After his death, his Friends co-stars released a joint statement expressing their grief over the loss of their friend. The actors also remembered Perry in individual interviews.
"We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family. There is so much to say, but right now we're going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss. In time we will say more, as and when we are able. For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty's family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world," the statement said.
Did the Friends cast remain friends in real life?
On screen, they were inseparable, but after the series ended, it became rare for all six actors to get together.
In December 2024, Lisa Kudrow said on the Dinner's On Me podcast that after Friends ended, all six cast members had dinner together only once—about ten years after filming wrapped. Their next full-cast reunion took place during the filming of the 2021 special Friends: The Reunion.
Friends (TV series still)
The actress also noted that during the reunion, it felt as though they had never stopped talking to one another. Despite the long break, the cast still shared the special chemistry that had helped make the series such a huge success.
Matthew Perry's death in 2023 was a devastating blow to the other cast members. In October 2026, Netflix released the documentary The One About Matthew Perry, dedicated to his life and career. His five Friends co-stars declined to give interviews for the project. According to People, they did not want to publicly revisit the painful memories surrounding the actor's death.
Read also: Jennifer Aniston's embrace and tears: Matthew Perry's sister recalls his funeral
