The Best Characters On 'Friends', Ranked
Portrayed by Matthew Perry, Chandler Bing is known for his sarcastic wit and self-deprecating humor, which serve as his defense mechanisms throughout the series. His unique sense of humor makes him stand out from the rest of the gang, while also providing memorable moments, like when he says to Rachel, “I'm not great at the advice. Can I interest you in a sarcastic comment?” Some of Chandler's significant storylines include his on-again-off-again relationship with Janice Hosenstein (played by Maggie Wheeler) and his eventual marriage to Monica Geller (Courteney Cox). One of Chandler's most famous running jokes involves his inability to cry ("The One Where Chandler Can't Cry"), which eventually leads to emotional growth in later seasons.
Played by Matt LeBlanc, Joey Tribbiani is the lovable, dim-witted aspiring actor who became iconic for his catchphrase "How you doin'?" and memorable dopey lines, such as when he suggests "It's like a cow's opinion; it doesn't matter. It's moo." A defining moment for Joey involves him being cast as Dr. Drake Ramoray in the soap opera Days of Our Lives (Episode: "The One With Russ"). However, this leads to some hilarious turns when Joey is later killed off in the show due to an interview gone wrong. Joey's relationships with women often provide comic relief, including his infamous "Ichiban lipstick for men" ad campaign in Japan after accidentally falling for Ross's girlfriend Charlie (Aisha Tyler).
Courteney Cox's portrayal of Monica Geller made her the group's mother hen, always hosting gatherings in her apartment and maintaining an obsessive level of cleanliness. Monica is also known for being highly competitive, particularly during the annual Thanksgiving football game ("The One With The Football") and when playing Pictionary ("The One With All The Jealousy"). She dates fellow Friends character Dr. Richard Burke (Tom Selleck) in earlier seasons before eventually marrying Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry) in "The One With Monica And Chandler’s Wedding."
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Brought to life by Lisa Kudrow, Phoebe Buffay is a quirky and eccentric character who marches to the beat of her own drum. She provides many highlights throughout Friends' run with her guitar-playing and singing at Central Perk Café – her song "Smelly Cat" becoming a cultural phenomenon. Phoebe discovers her true parentage in "The One With Phoebe’s Dad," experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions. One of her most significant storylines involves her relationship with Mike Hannigan (Paul Rudd), whom she marries in "The One With Phoebe’s Wedding."
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Ross Geller, played by David Schwimmer, is the romantically-challenged paleontologist who often finds himself navigating through complicated relationships. His three failed marriages – Carol Willick (Jane Sibbett), Emily Waltham (Helen Baxendale), and Rachel Green – are consistent sources of humor throughout the show. However, Ross is best known for his undying love for Rachel that spans multiple seasons, culminating in their reconciliation during Friends' finale episode.
Played by Jennifer Aniston, Rachel Green began Friends as a runaway bride and evolved into a successful fashion executive. Her on-off again romantic relationship with Ross Geller (David Schwimmer) serves as a unifying theme throughout the series, culminating in the series finale when Ross chases after her before she boards a plane to Paris. A memorable moment includes Rachel's infamous trifle mishap during Thanksgiving ("The One Where Ross Got High") and her iconic hairstyle known as "The Rachel" that became a trendsetter in the '90s.
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Introduced in Season 9 as a blind date for Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow), pianist Mike Hannigan (Paul Rudd) eventually becomes a main character in the Friends universe. His initial meeting with Phoebe is shown in "The One With The Pediatrician." Their relationship progresses to marriage, culminating in "The One With Phoebe’s Wedding." Rudd's performance as Mike adds a fresh dynamic to the group while giving Phoebe her happy ending.
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Jack Geller
Elliott Gould's portrayal of Jack Geller, Monica and Ross's father, adds both warmth and humor to his various appearances throughout the series. Fans particularly enjoy Jack's blunt honesty and comical one-liners. Notable episodes include "The One With The Two Parties" and "The One Where Nana Dies Twice."
Maggie Wheeler plays Janice Hosenstein, Chandler Bing's on-off girlfriend throughout the series, who is notorious for her nasal laugh and catchphrase: "Oh...my...God!" Her surprising appearances always provide comic relief, especially when she appears during labor alongside Rachel Green ("The One Where Rachel Has A Baby").
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Played by James Michael Tyler, Gunther is Central Perk Café’s platinum-haired barista who harbors an unrequited love for Rachel Green throughout the series. His silent suffering is revealed when he confesses his feelings to her before she leaves for Paris in Friends' final season.
Tom Selleck's portrayal of Dr. Richard Burke introduces a mature, sophisticated love interest for Monica Geller (Courteney Cox). Although their relationship eventually comes to an end due to differing life goals, Richard remains one of Monica's most memorable romantic partners.
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Ugly Naked Guy
Although never seen on screen, Ugly Naked Guy is a recurring gag in the series. The friends are often horrified by his nudity and shenanigans in the apartment across from them. In "The One Where Everybody Finds Out,” Ross even scores an apartment in his building.
Born to Ross Geller and Rachel Green during the two-part episode "The One Where Rachel Has A Baby," Emma serves as another symbol of their tumultuous yet enduring love story.
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Ross's pet capuchin monkey Marcel provides levity during some of the show's earlier seasons. Introduced in "The One Where Monica Gets A Roommate," Marcel quickly becomes an integral part of Ross’s life before being sent away to live at a zoo in Season 2.
Hank Azaria plays David, a scientist who falls for Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow) but has to move to Minsk for work. Despite their chemistry, they ultimately part ways when Phoebe decides that her future lies with Mike Hannigan (Paul Rudd).
June Gable plays Estelle Leonard, Joey Tribbiani's (Matt LeBlanc) eccentric, chain-smoking talent agent. With her raspy voice and no-nonsense attitude, Estelle provides comedic relief and is responsible for landing Joey some of his most memorable acting gigs.
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Mr. Treeger
Michael G. Hagerty plays Mr. Treeger, the superintendent of Monica and Rachel's apartment building who occasionally clashes with Joey due to misunderstandings or mishaps ("The One Where Heckles Dies", "The One In Massapequa").
Brad Pitt guest stars as Will Colbert in "The One With The Rumor," playing a formerly overweight high school friend of Ross who holds a grudge against Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston). His appearance coincided with his real-life marriage to Aniston and provided viewers with a memorable Thanksgiving episode.
As Ross Geller's (David Schwimmer) son from his first marriage to Carol Willick (Jane Sibbett), Ben Geller is a recurring character played by various child actors throughout the series, most notably by Cole Sprouse. Ben's appearances highlight the challenges of Ross juggling fatherhood with his romantic life.
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Mr. Heckles
Larry Hankin plays Mr. Heckles, Monica (Courteney Cox) and Rachel's (Jennifer Aniston) eccentric downstairs neighbor known for frequently complaining about noise levels. His character takes a poignant turn when he suddenly passes away in "The One Where Old Yeller Dies," causing the friends to reflect on their own lives.
Morgan Fairchild portrays Nora Tyler Bing, Chandler Bing's (Matthew Perry) glamorous mother and steamy romance novelist. Her flirtatious personality often embarrasses Chandler and creates tension within the group. Nora appears in episodes such as "The One With Mrs. Bing" and "The One Where Eddie Won't Go."
Bruce Willis plays Paul Stevens in a three-episode arc as the intimidating father of Ross Geller's (David Schwimmer) girlfriend Elizabeth (Alexandra Holden). Paul's overprotective nature clashes with Ross, but eventually leads to an awkward relationship between him and Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston).
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Frank Buffay, Jr.
Giovanni Ribisi plays Frank Buffay Jr., Phoebe's younger half-brother whom she meets in "The One With The Bullies." Their relationship blossoms over time, with Phoebe eventually agreeing to become a surrogate mother for Frank and his wife Alice Knight Buffay (Debra Jo Rupp).
In "The One With Chandler's Dad," Kathleen Turner portrays the drag queen Helena Handbasket, who is also Chandler Bing's (Matthew Perry) estranged father. This storyline provides insight into Chandler's family dynamics and leads to a touching reunion during his wedding to Monica (Courteney Cox).
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Anna Faris plays Erica, the birth mother of Monica (Courteney Cox) and Chandler Bing's (Matthew Perry) adopted twins. Her character appears towards the end of the series and helps bring a heartwarming conclusion to the couple's long-standing desire for children.
Jon Favreau stars as Pete Becker in multiple episodes, a wealthy entrepreneur who becomes romantically involved with Monica Geller (Courteney Cox). While their relationship starts strong, it ultimately ends because of Pete's obsession with becoming an Ultimate Fighting Championship competitor.
Reese Witherspoon guest stars as Jill Green, Rachel's (Jennifer Aniston) spoiled younger sister. She appears in two episodes ("The One With Rachel's Sister" and "The One Where Chandler Can't Cry"), causing conflict when she briefly dates Ross Geller (David Schwimmer).
Jane Sibbett portrays Carol Willick, Ross Geller's (David Schwimmer) first ex-wife who comes out as lesbian and has a son named Ben with Ross. Despite their divorce, Carol remains part of Ross's life throughout Friends' run, often appearing in episodes focused on parenting or family issues.
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Judy Geller
Christina Pickles plays Judy Geller, the mother of Monica (Courteney Cox) and Ross Geller (David Schwimmer). Known for her sharp wit and critical nature towards Monica, Judy adds humor to her appearances in episodes such as "The One Where Nana Dies Twice" and "The One With The Two Parties." Despite her criticisms, Judy's love for her children is evident throughout the series.
Christina Applegate guest stars as Amy Green, Rachel's (Jennifer Aniston) self-absorbed older sister. Appearing in two episodes ("The One With Rachel's Other Sister" and "The One Where Chandler Gets Caught"), Amy brings chaos to the group dynamic, especially when she expresses interest in adopting Emma if Ross and Rachel were to die.
In Seasons 7 and 8, Eddie Cahill portrays Tag Jones, Rachel Green's (Jennifer Aniston) attractive yet inexperienced assistant at Ralph Lauren. Their flirtation develops into a romantic relationship, but their age difference ultimately causes them to part ways.
Lisa Kudrow pulls double duty by portraying both Phoebe Buffay and her identical twin sister Ursula Buffay. Ursula is depicted as cold-hearted and manipulative compared to the kind-hearted Phoebe. Her storyline intertwines with Phoebe’s life on several occasions, including dating Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc) in "The One With The Jam" and discovering their birth mother in "The One With Phoebe's Uterus."
Jessica Hecht portrays Susan Bunch, Carol Willick's (Jane Sibbett) lesbian partner and co-parent to Ross Geller's (David Schwimmer) son Ben. Susan's character serves as an important representation of LGBTQ+ relationships during Friends' run, often providing humorous clashes with Ross due to their differing parenting styles.
Marlo Thomas plays Sandra Green, Rachel's (Jennifer Aniston) overly emotional mother. Her character offers insight into Rachel's upbringing and family dynamics. Memorable moments include her decision to leave Rachel's father in "The One With The Lesbian Wedding" and her appearance at Rachel’s surprise birthday party in "The One With Two Parties."
Dermot Mulroney stars as Gavin Mitchell, Rachel's (Jennifer Aniston) workplace rival who temporarily covers her position at Ralph Lauren during her maternity leave. Although starting with a contentious relationship, Rachel and Gavin eventually share a brief romantic connection before he leaves the show in "The One Where Monica Sings."
Ron Leibman portrays Dr. Leonard Green, the abrasive father of Rachel (Jennifer Aniston). His appearances often revolve around family conflicts, including his separation from Sandra (Marlo Thomas) in "The One With The Lesbian Wedding" and his heart attack scare in "The One With The Stripper."
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Bonnie Somerville plays Mona, Ross Geller's (David Schwimmer) girlfriend during Season 8. Their relationship begins at Monica (Courteney Cox) and Chandler Bing's (Matthew Perry) wedding but becomes complicated due to Ross's impending fatherhood with Rachel (Jennifer Aniston). They ultimately break up when Mona discovers Ross lied about moving in together.
In "The One After The Superbowl," Julia Roberts guest stars as Susie Moss, aka Susie Underpants. A former classmate of Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry) seeking revenge for an embarrassing childhood incident, she tricks him into wearing nothing but her underwear at a restaurant before leaving him stranded.
Vincent Ventresca appears as Fun Bobby, Monica Geller's (Courteney Cox) on-again-off-again boyfriend with a penchant for partying. However, after deciding to quit drinking in "The One with the Inappropriate Sister," it is revealed that much of his charm came from alcohol, causing him to become Dull Bobby.
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Eddie Menuek
Played by Adam Goldberg, Eddie Menuek is Chandler Bing's (Matthew Perry) very eccentric roommate following Joey Tribbiani's (Matt LeBlanc) temporary move out due to his soap opera success. Eddie quickly becomes unhinged and obsessive during his short-lived stay, causing Chandler to beg Joey to return home ("The One Where Eddie Won't Go").
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Kathy
Paget Brewster stars as Kathy, an actress who first dates Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc) before falling for Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry). Her character highlights the strength of Joey and Chandler's friendship when they reconcile despite her causing a rift between them. She eventually cheats on Chandler, leading to their breakup ("The One With Chandler In A Box", "The One With Rachel’s Crush").
Denise Richards guest stars as Cassie Geller in "The One With Ross And Monica’s Cousin." As an attractive cousin visiting for Monica and Chandler's wedding, Cassie unintentionally causes awkward situations when both Ross and Chandler develop strong attractions towards her.
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Michael Rapaport plays Gary, a police officer who becomes Phoebe Buffay's (Lisa Kudrow) boyfriend. Their relationship starts when Phoebe finds his badge and pretends to be a cop in "The One With The Cop." While they initially seem like a great match, Gary's decision to shoot a bird outside their bedroom window causes Phoebe to break up with him in "The One With The Ball."
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Julie
Lauren Tom portrays Julie, Ross Geller's (David Schwimmer) girlfriend whom he meets during his trip to China. Her character presents an obstacle for Ross and Rachel's (Jennifer Aniston) blossoming relationship, leading to the famous "We were on a break!" storyline. Despite starting strong, Julie and Ross ultimately part ways in "The One With The List."
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Elizabeth Stevens
Alexandra Holden stars as Elizabeth Stevens, Ross Geller's (David Schwimmer) student who he begins dating. Despite their age difference and disapproval from Elizabeth's father Paul (Bruce Willis), the couple tries to make it work until they break up during a trip to Barbados in "The One With The Holiday Armadillo."
Aisha Tyler plays Dr. Charlie Wheeler, a paleontology professor who briefly dates both Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc) and Ross Geller (David Schwimmer). Her character brings intellectual depth into the group dynamics but eventually returns to her ex-boyfriend in "The One With Ross' Grant."
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Christine Taylor appears as Bonnie, Phoebe Buffay's (Lisa Kudrow) free-spirited and bald-headed friend who briefly dates Ross Geller (David Schwimmer). Her character creates tension between Ross and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), ultimately culminating in Ross's realization that he still loves Rachel during their trip to the beach house ("The One At The Beach", "The One With The Jellyfish").
Brooke Shields guest stars as Erika Ford in "The One After The Superbowl," playing an obsessive fan of Joey Tribbiani’s (Matt LeBlanc) soap opera character Dr. Drake Ramoray. Her inability to differentiate between reality and fiction leads to chaos when she believes that Joey is actually his television persona.
Jennifer Coolidge guest stars as Amanda Buffamonteezi in "The One With Ross's Tan." Amanda, who is Monica (Courteney Cox) and Phoebe's (Lisa Kudrow) former neighbor, is an eccentric British woman with grating mannerisms. Her character causes Monica and Phoebe to question their friendship before they ultimately decide to distance themselves from her.
Dina Meyer appears as Kate Miller, an actress co-starring with Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc) in a play that helps him sharpen his acting skills. They share a brief romantic connection before she leaves for Los Angeles in pursuit of her career ("The One With The Screamer").
Helen Baxendale portrays Emily Waltham, a British woman whom Ross Geller (David Schwimmer) meets during a business trip. Their whirlwind romance leads to a short-lived marriage that ends dramatically when Ross accidentally says Rachel's name at the altar ("The One With Ross's Wedding").
