It’s hard to imagine the stars of Friends—Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer—before they were the household names we know today. But before the iconic sitcom shot them to international fame, they were just regular actors, hustling to make it in Hollywood. Let’s take a deep dive into what the Friends cast members were doing before they became the beloved characters of Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler, and Ross. Jennifer Aniston: From Waitress to A-Lister Jennifer Aniston’s portrayal of Rachel Green is now legendary, but her journey to fame wasn’t as glamorous as it may seem. Before landing her iconic role on Friends, Aniston was working a variety of odd jobs while attending acting classes in New York City. Jennifer Aniston’s Early Struggles and Roles Before Friends, Aniston struggled like many actors. She worked as a waitress and barista to support herself while auditioning for TV roles. Aniston appeared in a number of short-lived TV series, including Molloy and The Edge, and had guest spots on shows like Ferris Bueller (based on the movie) and The Single Guy. Despite her early Disappointments, her breakthrough came with Friends, which catapulted her to fame and solidified her place as a Hollywood A-lister. Courteney Cox: From Commercials to the Spotlight Courteney Cox was the first of the six Friends cast members to find success. Before Monica Geller made her mark on TV, Cox had a varied career in commercials and smaller TV roles. Courteney Cox’s Rise to Fame Cox’s big break came in the early 1980s when she appeared in a Coca-Cola commercial that gained significant attention. She was also known for her role as Michael J. Fox’s girlfriend, Alex, in the popular sitcom Family Ties. In addition, she had small roles in films such as Masters of the Universe (1987) and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994). However, it was her role as Monica on Friends that truly launched her into superstardom. Lisa Kudrow: A Comedic Talent Who Almost Became a Doctor Lisa Kudrow, who famously played the eccentric Phoebe Buffay, had a completely different path before her breakthrough role. Unlike most actors, Kudrow initially planned to follow a career in science. Lisa Kudrow’s Pre-Friends Career Path Kudrow attended Vassar College, where she studied biology with the intention of becoming a doctor. However, after a few years of working with her father (a renowned physician), she decided to pursue acting. Kudrow’s first big break came when she joined the cast of Mad About You, where she played the quirky Ursula Buffay—Phoebe’s twin sister. That role led to her being cast as Phoebe in Friends, and she quickly became one of the show’s standout stars, thanks to her unique blend of comedy and vulnerability. Matt LeBlanc: Struggling Actor and Waiter Before landing the role of the lovable Joey Tribbiani, Matt LeBlanc was doing everything he could to make a living in the entertainment industry. Matt LeBlanc’s Early Years in Hollywood LeBlanc’s journey to stardom was filled with challenges. Like many struggling actors in Hollywood, he worked various odd jobs to support himself. One of his most memorable jobs was working as a waiter. LeBlanc also appeared in numerous commercials, including one for Heinz ketchup, but it was a long and difficult road to fame. Before landing Friends, LeBlanc had small guest roles on TV shows like Married… with Children and Red Shoe Diaries. His role as Joey in Friends quickly became iconic, and LeBlanc’s career skyrocketed from there. Matthew Perry: A Teen Actor with Big Dreams Matthew Perry’s portrayal of Chandler Bing remains one of the most beloved and enduring characters in TV history. However, Perry had been working in Hollywood for years before landing his Friends role. Matthew Perry’s Early Career and Struggles Before he became Chandler Bing, Perry appeared in numerous TV shows, including Charles in Charge, Growing Pains, and Sydney. He also had roles in TV movies and guest spots on popular shows like Beverly Hills, 90210. Perry’s career took time to build momentum , but he eventually landed the role of Chandler on Friends, and his comic timing and sarcastic humor quickly made him a fan favorite. David Schwimmer: Struggling Actor Who Almost Quit David Schwimmer’s journey to becoming Ross Geller was not without its struggles. Before he was cast on Friends, Schwimmer was mostly known for his theater work, and he was far from being a household name. David Schwimmer’s Early Work in Theater and TV Schwimmer trained at Northwestern University, where he studied theater. He later moved to New York and appeared in various stage productions. Schwimmer’s early TV roles were few and far between, with guest spots on shows like The Wonder Years and NYPD Blue. At one point, Schwimmer almost gave up on acting due to the difficulty of finding steady work. Thankfully, Friends came along at just the right time, and his portrayal of Ross helped cemen his career in Hollywood. How the Friends Cast Found Their Big Breaks It’s fascinating to look at the Friends cast’s journey before they became famous. From struggling waiters to young actors trying to find steady gigs, each member of the iconic group had to work hard and persevere in the cutthroat entertainment industry. Their stories serve as a reminder that even the most successful actors faced rejection and disappointment before achieving greatness. The Importance of Persistence in Hollywood One of the key takeaways from the early years of the Friends cast is the importance of persistence. Despite the challenges they faced, each member of the cast kept pushing forward, honing their craft, and accepting roles that eventually led to their big break. Their Their stories show that success in Hollywood isn’t always instant, and the road to fame is often filled with setbacks, failures, and hard work. Did Any of the Cast Members Almost Get Fired from Friends? While the Friends cast members were all highly talented, some of them came close to being replaced during the early days of the show. For example, the Producers reportedly debated recasting Jennifer Aniston in the role of Rachel due to her struggles to connect with the character at first. Thankfully, she was able to find her footing, and the rest is TV history. How Friends Changed Hollywood Forever Friends didn’t just launch the careers of six talented actors—it changed the way TV shows were made. The sitcom broke ratings records and set new standards for ensemble casts, making it one of the most influential shows in television history. The fact that the cast’s careers took off after Friends proves just how much the show shaped their future successes. What Happens to Friends Characters Now? As we think about what the Friends cast was doing before their iconic roles, it’s also fun to imagine where their characters would be today. Would Rachel still be working in fashion? Would Monica and Chandler be raising their kids in the suburbs? What’s next for Phoebe, Ross, Joey, and Chandler? While we’ll never know for sure, these characters have stayed with us for decades, and their journey is far from over. Conclusion: The Early Struggles of the Friends Cast and Their Rise to Fame The journey to success for the Friends cast wasn’t easy, and each of the actors had to put in years of hard work, auditions, and perseverance before landing their iconic roles. The struggles they faced before achieving fame make their success even more inspiring , proving that with dedication, talent, and a little bit of luck, anything is possible in Hollywood.
