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THEN AND NOW: The stars of 'Friends' 16 years later

THEN AND NOW: The stars of 'Friends' 16 years later
"Friends" premiered on NBC in 1994.NBC
  • NBC's hit show "Friends" premiered in 1994 and focused on the lives of Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe, and Joey.
  • Since the sitcom came to an end in 2004, the cast has gone on to lead other TV shows and movies and open up about their personal lives in interviews.
  • Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

"Friends" premiered on NBC in September 1994 and went on to become one of the most beloved and popular sitcoms on the network.

Throughout the show's 10-season run, fans got to see Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe, and Joey navigate their relationships and careers in New York City. They spent a lot of time in the fictional coffee shop known as Central Perk, too.

The show ended in May 2004, but stars Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, Lisa Kudrow, and Matt LeBlanc have managed to stay in the spotlight thanks to roles on plenty of shows and movies.

The main cast members will also be reuniting for an unscripted special for HBO Max.

Here's what the cast has been up to since "Friends" aired its final episode 16 years ago.

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Sprouse went on to star as Cody on "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody" and currently plays Jughead Jones on "Riverdale."

Sprouse went on to star as Cody on "The Suite Life of  Zack and Cody" and currently plays Jughead Jones on "Riverdale."
Cole Sprouse in February 2020.      Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

After "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody" and its spin-off series, "The Suite Life on Deck," Sprouse took a break from acting and studied archaeology at New York University. He also interned at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History.

Sprouse and his twin brother, Dylan Sprouse, graduated in 2015. Cole didn't start acting again until he got a role as Jughead on "Riverdale," based on the Archie comics.

"I read the pilot for 'Riverdale' and really enjoyed it, so when I got the role I decided to fulfill my obligation and see where it would take me," he told Bustle of his decision to return to the spotlight. "It seemed like the right project because it was interesting and well-written. It was a new character that I haven't tried before."

Prior to finding fame on Disney Channel, Cole Sprouse played Ross and Carol's son.

Prior to finding fame on Disney Channel, Cole Sprouse played Ross and Carol
Ben's godfather was Chandler.      NBC

During season seven, Rachel babysat Ben and taught him a few pranks so she could be known as "Fun Aunt Rachel."

Maggie Wheeler has guest-starred on tons of shows.

Maggie Wheeler has guest-starred on tons of shows.
Maggie Wheeler had a role in the 1998 movie "The Parent Trap."      Brett Cove/Barcroft Images/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

For years, Wheeler voiced the character Trinette McGoon on the animated show "Archer." You might have also seen her on "Hot in Cleveland," "Californication," "How I Met Your Mother," and "Shameless."

During an interview with ITV's "This Morning," the actress revealed how she created Janice's over-the-top laugh.

"[It] happened organically in the first rehearsal, because I needed to find a way to laugh, because Matthew Perry is so funny," Wheeler said.

She added: "I created Janice's laugh just as a safety measure for when Matthew made me laugh."

In 2019, the actress voiced Trudy Pickering in the animated "Addams Family" film.

Maggie Wheeler played Janice, whose go-to catchphrase was, "Oh my God."

Maggie Wheeler played Janice, whose go-to catchphrase was, "Oh my God."
Janice had a distinct, nasally voice.      NBC

She had an on-again, off-again relationship with Chandler during the early seasons.

Rudd is now a Marvel star.

Rudd is now a Marvel star.
Paul Rudd in February 2020.      Scott Roth/Invision/AP

Rudd's credits after "Friends" include roles in the comedy "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," "I Love You, Man," "The Perks of Being a Wallflower," and the 2013 "Anchorman" sequel.

He also starred as Bobby Newport on the hit series "Parks and Recreation," which included his future Marvel costar Chris Pratt.

Rudd appeared in his first standalone MCU film, "Ant-Man," in 2015. Since then, he's also appeared as Ant-Man/Scott Lang in "Captain America: Civil War" and "Ant-Man and the Wasp." He reprised his role in "Avengers: Endgame," which was released in April 2019, and stars on Netflix's "Living With Yourself."

Paul Rudd portrayed Mike Hannigan, Phoebe's husband.

Paul Rudd portrayed Mike Hannigan, Phoebe
Mike initially didn't want to remarry after going through a failed relationship.      NBC

They met after Joey set Phoebe up on a blind date during season nine.

On the final season of "Friends," Mike and Phoebe got married outside of Central Perk, since there was a blizzard that ruined their previous ceremony plans.

At the wedding, Monica was the maid of honor, Joey officiated, Rachel was a bridesmaid, and Chandler gave Phoebe away. As for Ross, he was tasked with carrying Mike's dog, Chappy, who was named a groomsman.

LeBlanc currently stars on the CBS sitcom "Man With a Plan," which was renewed for a fourth season.

LeBlanc currently stars on the CBS sitcom "Man With a Plan," which was renewed for a fourth season.
Matt LeBlanc starred as Lucy Liu's on-screen boyfriend in "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle."      Alexander G. Seyum/Invision/AP

After "Friends," LeBlanc landed a spin-off series called "Joey." The series didn't achieve the success that its predecessor had and ended after two seasons.

Since then, LeBlanc has appeared on Kudrow's "Web Therapy." The actor's role on the show "Episodes," which lasted from 2011 to 2017, earned him a Golden Globes win for best performance by an actor in a comedy or musical television series.

LeBlanc has also been a cohost and presenter on the British show "Top Gear" since 2012.

Matt LeBlanc starred as struggling actor Joey Tribbiani.

Matt LeBlanc starred as struggling actor Joey Tribbiani.
He wasn't the smartest person in his group of friends.      NBC

Joey was a womanizer and had an obsession with food, particularly pizza and meatball sandwiches. His signature pick-up line was "How you doin'?"

Kudrow is now an actor, producer, and writer.

Kudrow is now an actor, producer, and writer.
Lisa Kudrow in November 2019.      Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

After "Friends," Kudrow landed parts in movies like "P.S. I Love You," "Neighbors," "Easy A," and "The Girl on the Train." You might have also seen her appear as Congresswoman Josephine Marcus on a few episodes of ABC's "Scandal."

In addition, Kudrow lent her voice to characters on "BoJack Horseman" and "The Boss Baby." She also played Lori-Anne Schmidt on "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" and Sheree on "Grace and Frankie," in addition to guest-starring on "The Good Place."

Kudrow also created and starred on the Showtime series "Web Therapy," which lasted for four seasons and got nominated for a Primetime Emmy.

The actress, who played Charmaine in the movie "Booksmart," opened up about her struggles with body image and said that she "felt like this mountain of a woman" next to Aniston and Cox.

"I have a whole battle all the time," Kudrow told comedian Marc Maron while appearing on his podcast. "I end up with, 'So what? So, all right. You're older. That's a good thing. Why is that a bad thing?'"

Lisa Kudrow starred as Phoebe Buffay, known for her incredibly catchy "Smelly Cat" song.

Lisa Kudrow starred as Phoebe Buffay, known for her incredibly catchy "Smelly Cat" song.
Phoebe had a quirky sense of style.      NBC

Phoebe worked as a masseuse and played the guitar at Central Perk in her spare time. She also had a twin sister named Ursula, who briefly dated Joey.

Perry has continued appearing mainly on TV shows, in addition to being open about his struggles with substance abuse.

Perry has continued appearing mainly on TV shows, in addition to being open about his struggles with substance abuse.
Matthew Perry guest-starred on "Scrubs" and "The Good Fight."      Theo Wargo/Getty Images

During "Friends," Perry became addicted to pain medications, lost a drastic amount of weight, and checked into rehab in 1997. He has since made efforts to focus on sobriety.

In August 2018, the actor revealed that he was hospitalized for several months after undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. Perry also alarmed fans after tweeting that he "got kicked out of therapy." He later clarified, writing: "Easy guys, it was just one session. I'm back in therapy where I belong."

On the acting front, Perry starred as Ted Kennedy on "The Kennedys After Camelot." He also starred on "The Odd Couple," "Go On," and "Mr. Sunshine."

In February 2020, Perry became the last of the six main "Friends" cast members to join Instagram, much to the delight of his costars and fans.

Matthew Perry portrayed Chandler Bing, who was always making sarcastic comments.

Matthew Perry portrayed Chandler Bing, who was always making sarcastic comments.
His full name is Chandler Muriel Bing.      NBC

Chandler was initially afraid of commitment, but that all changed when he started dating Monica during season five.

After "Friends," Cox starred on her own show called "Cougar Town."

After "Friends," Cox starred on her own show called "Cougar Town."
Courteney Cox played Gale Weathers-Riley in "Scream 4."      Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

"Cougar Town" lasted for six seasons, beginning on ABC and concluding on TBS in 2015.

You might have also seen the actress appear on shows like "Shameless," "Modern Family," and "Drunk History."

In 2014, Cox got engaged to Snow Patrol guitarist Johnny McDaid, who she met through Ed Sheeran. During an appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" in January 2019, Cox said that she and McDaid aren't engaged anymore, but they are still together.

"He's not my fiancé. We were engaged to be married, but now we're just together," she said. "It's actually better than it was before. Everything's better."

She's still good friends with costars Aniston and Kudrow, and the three women are part of a group chat. They occasionally meet up, too.

Ross' younger sister and chef, Monica Geller, was portrayed by Courteney Cox.

Ross
Monica was very competitive and didn't like to lose.      NBC

Monica's cleanliness frustrated her friends, but they always went to her apartment to hang out when they weren't at Central Perk.

She and Chandler got married during season seven and adopted twins from a woman named Erica, played by Anna Faris. On the series finale, Monica and Chandler moved out of their purple-painted apartment so they could raise their children in Westchester, outside of the city.

Schwimmer went on to land movie and TV roles, most recently on NBC's "Will & Grace" and the 2019 film "The Laundromat."

Schwimmer went on to land movie and TV roles, most recently on NBC
David Schwimmer in October 2019.      Birdie Thompson/AdMedia/MediaPunch/IPX

The actor voiced Melman the giraffe in the "Madagascar" movies. Schwimmer starred as Robert Kardashian on "The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story." His performance as the lawyer also earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actor in a limited series or a movie at the 2016 award show.

Schwimmer also had a recurring role as Debra Messing's on-screen love interest, a blogger named Noah, on the "Will & Grace" revival.

In October 2018, Schwimmer made headlines due to his seemingly uncanny resemblance to a suspected criminal in Blackpool, England. The "Friends" star noticed the news and made a parody video, where he was seen pretending to steal a crate of beers and pleading innocent.

David Schwimmer played Ross Geller, a paleontologist who was obsessed with dinosaurs since he was a child.

David Schwimmer played Ross Geller, a paleontologist who was obsessed with dinosaurs since he was a child.
Ross had a crush on Rachel since they attended high school together.      NBC

Ross had a son named Ben with a woman named Carol, who he divorced after learning that she was a lesbian. Ross went on to have another failed relationship with Emily, who he married in England after a whirlwind relationship. They split after Emily told Ross to cut off contact with Rachel, which he refused to do.

Aniston won a SAG Award for outstanding performance by a female actor in a drama series for her role as Alex Levy on Apple TV Plus' "The Morning Show."

Aniston won a SAG Award for outstanding performance by a female actor in a drama series for her role as Alex Levy on Apple TV Plus
Jennifer Aniston in January 2020.      Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Aniston and Reese Witherspoon serve as executive producers on the show, which has a second season on the way.

Aniston has also continued showing off her comedic chops with tons of films over the years.

She starred in comedies like "He's Just Not That Into You," "Horrible Bosses," and "We're the Millers." Aniston has also been recognized for her philanthropic efforts with St. Jude's Research Hospital and Stand Up to Cancer.

The actress has always been vocal about shutting down questions regarding her personal life. In 2016, she penned a powerful essay clapping back at people who have body-shamed her and speculated about whether or not she's pregnant.

"I'm fed up with the sport-like scrutiny and body shaming that occurs daily under the guise of 'journalism,' the 'First Amendment' and 'celebrity news,'" she wrote.

"We are complete with or without a mate, with or without a child," Aniston added. "We get to decide for ourselves what is beautiful when it comes to our bodies. That decision is ours and ours alone."

Her essay was also praised by then-husband Justin Theroux, who she married in 2015. The couple revealed their split in early 2018.

Aniston starred as former beauty-pageant queen Rosie in the 2018 Netflix movie "Dumplin" and led the movie "Murder Mystery" with Adam Sandler.

Jennifer Aniston starred as Rachel Green, easily the most stylish character on the show.

Jennifer Aniston starred as Rachel Green, easily the most stylish character on the show.
Rachel had two sisters named Jill and Amy, played by Reese Witherspoon and Christina Applegate.      Warner Bros. Television

At the start of the series, Rachel left her fiancé, Barry, at the altar. In an effort to be independent and not live off her father's wealth, she got a job at Central Perk and cut up all her credit cards.

By the show's end, she had a daughter named Emma with Ross, who she had an on-again, off-again relationship throughout the series.

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