The sarcastic king of one-liners, Chandler struggles with commitment but eventually finds love with Monica. His career in statistical analysis and reconfiguration is often a mystery to his friends.

Surprising Fact: Chandler was originally written as a more secondary, supporting character, but Matthew Perry’s comedic timing was so strong that the writers expanded his role significantly, making him one of the show’s most beloved leads.

A chef with obsessive cleanliness and a competitive streak, known for hosting group hangouts.

Surprising Fact: Courteney Cox originally auditioned for Rachel but pushed to play Monica instead. 

A lovable but dim-witted actor, known for his catchphrase, “How you doin’?”

Surprising Fact: Matt LeBlanc had only $11 in his bank account before landing the role. 

The Central Perk barista hopelessly in love with Rachel, known for his bleached hair.

Surprising Fact: The actor, James Michael Tyler, got the role because he knew how to operate an espresso machine. 

A quirky, street-smart masseuse with a wild backstory and a musical talent (e.g., Smelly Cat).

Surprising Fact: Lisa Kudrow hated playing guitar and wanted Phoebe to play the bongos instead. 

Ross’s pet capuchin monkey, who gets taken to a zoo and later becomes a movie star.

Surprising Fact: The monkey was played by a female capuchin named Katie, who later appeared in The Hangover Part II. 

A paleontologist with a string of failed relationships, famous for his divorces and Pivot! moment.

Surprising Fact: Ross was originally written as the show’s main character before it became more ensemble-based. 

The duck, adopted shortly after the chick, becomes Joey and Chandler’s second pet and often causes chaos in their apartment.

Surprising Fact: The duck mysteriously disappears in later seasons, and it’s later implied (but never shown) that it passed away before the finale, making it one of Friends’ subtle yet sad moments.

A fashion-loving runaway bride who transforms from spoiled to independent.

Surprising Fact: Jennifer Aniston nearly left after Season 6 due to contractual disputes. 

Chandler’s transgender parent and Las Vegas drag performer, estranged from him for much of his life.

Surprising Fact: Kathleen Turner, who played Helena, later said she regretted taking the role due to changing cultural perspectives. 

Carol’s witty and sarcastic partner, who often clashes with Ross.

Surprising Fact: Susan was one of the earliest recurring lesbian characters on network TV. 

Joey impulsively adopts the chick after seeing an ad about abandoned Easter pets. It starts as a tiny chick but later matures into a full-grown chicken, much to Chandler’s frustration.

Surprising Fact: The chick was originally meant to be a temporary joke, but fans loved the storyline so much that the writers kept it around for multiple seasons.

Phoebe’s eventual husband, a quirky yet stable man who wins her heart despite a rough start.

Surprising Fact: Paul Rudd’s character wasn’t originally meant to last, but he was so well-received that he stayed until the finale. 

Ross and Monica’s eccentric yet loving father, often making awkward but well-meaning remarks.

Surprising Fact: The writers based Jack’s quirky personality on real-life dads they knew. 

Phoebe’s odd but lovable half-brother, who asks her to be a surrogate for his triplets.

Surprising Fact: Giovanni Ribisi, who played Frank Jr., first appeared as a background character on Friends before being cast in the role. 

Chandler’s on-and-off girlfriend, famous for her laugh and catchphrase, “Oh. My. God.”

Surprising Fact: Janice appeared in every season except Season 6. 

Joey’s eccentric chain-smoking talent agent, known for her raspy voice and questionable job performance. Joey and Estelle remain loyal to each other even when he gets successful.

Surprising Fact: Joey never finds out that Estelle dies, as Phoebe keeps it a secret to spare his feelings. 

Rachel’s spoiled, self-absorbed sister, who temporarily takes care of Emma.

Surprising Fact: Christina Applegate won an Emmy for her guest role as Amy. 

Chandler's short-lived, unstable roommate after Joey moves out. Eddie is deeply disturbed, displaying paranoid behavior and refusing to acknowledge being kicked out.

Surprising Fact: Adam Goldberg, who played Eddie, later appeared in Friends' spinoff Joey as a completely different character. 

Phoebe’s sweet but unlucky scientist boyfriend who moves to Minsk, leaving her heartbroken.

Surprising Fact: Hank Azaria (David) originally auditioned for Joey but didn’t get the part. 

Monica’s much older boyfriend, a charming ophthalmologist and friend of her parents.

Surprising Fact: Tom Selleck’s return in later seasons was due to audience demand. 

Rachel’s love interest and the overprotective father of her younger boyfriend, Elizabeth.

Surprising Fact: Paul was played by Bruce Willis, who appeared for free after losing a bet to Matthew Perry. 

A charming yet clueless client of Rachel's at Bloomingdale's, Joshua is fresh out of a divorce and hesitant to jump into another relationship. Rachel aggressively pursues him, but their romance fizzles out due to bad timing.

Surprising Fact: Matthew Perry (Chandler) jokingly criticized the writers for how desperate Rachel seemed in her pursuit of Joshua. 

Phoebe’s selfish and amoral twin sister, who works as a waitress and a porn star. Unlike Phoebe, she’s cold and indifferent.

Surprising Fact: Lisa Kudrow first played Ursula on Mad About You, and Friends made her Phoebe’s twin to connect the universes. 

Monica and Ross’s critical yet devoted mother, who clearly favors Ross.

Surprising Fact: She was played by Christina Pickles, who later appeared in How I Met Your Mother as Lily’s mother.