Friends has always been one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time, ever since the first episode aired on TV in 1994. It made instant stars out of its six lead actors—Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer, who became household names overnight. But while the show brought plenty of laughs, real life hasn’t always been as lighthearted for the cast. These poor actors have been through a number of struggles, including addiction, health issues, heartbreak, and loss, with Perry’s tragic death in 2023 being one of the most devastating.
1. David Schwimmer Faced Antisemitism
As a Jewish actor, David Schwimmer has faced discrimination multiple times. In an interview with NBC, he revealed people had called him antisemitic slurs right to his face. But instead of letting those comments get to him, Schwimmer used his platform to spark conversations about prejudice. He directed a play called Race to encourage self-reflection, saying that no matter how progressive or open-minded we think we are, we all have some kind of bias.
2. Jennifer Aniston’s Public Divorces
Jennifer Aniston’s love life has been under constant media scrutiny. She has said her parents’ divorce deeply affected how she viewed relationships. She married Brad Pitt in 2000, and their high-profile relationship seemed perfect until it wasn’t. They divorced in 2005 amid rumors that Pitt fell for Angelina Jolie while filming Mr. & Mrs. Smith. The love triangle was tabloid gold, leaving Aniston in the middle of the drama.
Years later, she found love again with Justin Theroux. The couple tied the knot in 2015 but split less than three years later. While fans speculated about the breakup, Theroux later dismissed the rumors, saying they’re still friends and that people oversimplified their situation.
3. Courteney Cox’s Fertility Struggles
Like her character Monica, Courteney Cox had a tough time conceiving. She suffered seven miscarriages before finally giving birth to her daughter, Coco, with ex-husband David Arquette. Cox has been open about her struggles, saying it’s something people shouldn’t shy away from talking about. One of the hardest moments for her came while filming Friends. She had just suffered a miscarriage when she had to shoot a scene where Rachel gave birth. “It was terrible having to be funny,” she admitted.
On top of that, as Cox aged, she began to overuse various beauty procedures like Botox injections, receiving many harsh comments about her appearance. Feeling pressure to maintain a youthful look in Hollywood, she went overboard with fillers, a decision she later regretted. By 2017, she had them dissolved, opting for a more natural look.
4. James Michael Tyler And His Battle with Cancer
Though not one of the core six, James Michael Tyler’s portrayal of Gunther made him a fan favorite. Sadly, he passed away in 2021 at age 59 from prostate cancer. Months before his death, Tyler made a virtual appearance on the Friends reunion special. He later revealed he didn’t attend in person because of his illness, as he didn’t want to bring down the happy vibes. Reflecting on the past, he felt remorse for not seeking medical attention sooner, as he believed it could have potentially saved his life.
5. Matthew Perry’s Unexpected Death
One of the most devastating things that happened to the Friends cast was undeniably Matthew Perry’s sudden death just two years after the big reunion special. He was found drowned in his hot tub, and authorities later charged five people in connection with his death, including two doctors and a woman dubbed “The Ketamine Queen.” Three have entered guilty pleas, and two are awaiting trial.
Perry had battled addiction for decades, spending time in and out of rehab. He once admitted he didn’t even remember filming three seasons of Friends due to his struggles. Though he eventually got sober, he relapsed before his passing. To make things even more heartbreaking, his reported last words to his assistant were, “Shoot me up with a big one.”
