‘Friends‘ had become a sensation during the late 90s and early 2000s and guest starring in one or more episodes of the show was a Hollywood star’s bucket list. Sometimes, they would be cast for a span of episodes, the other times, they would appear for a single-episode cameo. Most times, we would not even realize a famous personality guest starred on the show.
The show had become a platform to even launch young actors into the industry before they hit stardom. Some would be a love interest for one of the main six characters, or an eccentric roommate (Eddie, played by Adam Goldberg). Nonetheless, fans love these Hollywood stars’ cameo in the beloved sitcom. Below are ten memorable cameos that appeared in the course of 10 seasons of ‘Friends’.
10. Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts appeared in the episode titled ‘The One After The Super Bowl: Part 2’ in season two. The ‘Pretty Woman’ actor cameoed as the makeup artist Susie Moss, a childhood batchmate from Chandler’s school. While Chandler believes that he has found the most amazing date, Susie has a more ulterior motive. The actor runs away with Chandler’s clothes from a restaurant’s bathroom, to get revenge for the wrong he had done her back when they were young.
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9. Brad Pitt
After tying the knot with Jennifer Aniston in 2000, Brad Pitt appeared in the sitcom but not as Rachel’s love interest. It was quite the opposite. In the episode ‘The One With The Rumor’ of season eight, Ross’ old high school buddy, Will Colbert joins the friends for Thanksgiving. As secrets unravel, Will reveals that he and Ross had created an ‘I Hate Rachel Green Club’ and spread an awful rumor about Rachel.
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8. Ben Stiller
Like any woman, Rachel has had her share of bad dates. Ben Stiller appeared in the episode ‘The One With The Screamer’ in season three as Tommy, Rachel’s new flame. However, she did not have to endure Tommy’s anger issues, Ross did. Ross becomes extremely skeptical of him when he irrationally screams at him for spilling coffee. Tommy does not have a long run with Rachel as he screams at Chandler and Joey’s duck and chicken. However, Stiller’s hilarious performance has long remained in fans’ hearts.
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7. Danny DeVito
Legendary comic actor Danny DeVito appeared in ‘Friends’ in the last season’s episode titled ‘The One Where The Stripper Cries’. Monica and Rachel assumed that Pheobe did not want a wild bachelorette party before her wedding. They made a last-minute call to a sickly middle-aged stripper, Roy ‘Goodbody’, played by Danny DeVito. However, Roy starts crying when he realizes his career in stripping is over. Pheobe cheers up Roy and the party ends up being amazing anyway.
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6. Alec Baldwin
Alec Baldwin appeared in a few episodes in season eight as Parker during Ross and Monica’s parents’ anniversary. Pheobe is a stickler for sweet men and is awed by Parker’s positive perspective on life. She is disappointed in her friends when they make fun of Parker. However, she realizes she too cannot bear his diabetically sweet nature and dumps him in ‘The One In Massapequa‘, which he again takes positively.
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5. Anna Faris
Heartbroken with their fertility tests, Monica and Chandler decide to adopt a child. Anna Faris appeared as the pregnant, ditzy Ericka in the final episodes of ‘Friends’. Through Monica and Anna, the showrunner also wanted to normalize adoption. It is indeed a teary moment when Monica and Chandler name their daughter after her biological mother. Later, Anna Faris becomes one of the leads in the epic sitcom, ‘Mom’.
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4. Reese Witherspoon
The rom-com queen, Reese Witherspoon, played one of Rachel’s younger sisters, Jill Green, and made several appearances on the show. Jill is another spoiled Green daughter who is cut off from her father when she buys a boat for her friend. Rachel has tried to mentor both her sisters for independence but in vain. Perhaps, they too needed the stern hand of Monica. Compared to Amy, Rachel has a better relationship with Jill.
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3. Charlie Sheen
Compared to his ‘Two and A Half Men‘ role, Charlie Sheen is more gentlemanly in his ‘Friends’ cameo. He appears in ‘The One With The Chicken Pox’ episode in season two as Ryan, Phoebe’s old flame. Ryan works in the US Marines and surfaces once in a while from his submarine. However, when he arrives for a romantic getaway with Phoebe both get chicken pox and spend an itchy vacation with her.
2. Winona Ryder
Rachel has had only one wild experience in her life — when she kissed her friend Melissa Warburton. However, her world shatters when Melissa denies the kiss ever happened. Winona Ryder appeared in ‘The One With Rachel’s Big Kiss’ in season seven as Melissa. Rachel is adamant about reminding Melissa of the night. When she refuses till the end, Rachel kisses Melissa again which spurts out repressed lesbian feelings from Melissa.
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1. Hugh Laurie
Hugh Laurie was a must-have during the England episodes of ‘Friends’. The English actor appeared as the guy on the plane when Rachel goes to London to ruin Ross’ wedding in season four. Rachel annoys the actor during the entire flight to the point that he bursts out saying Rachel’s plan is a terrible idea. The actor was loved by Ross supporters when he agreed that Ross and Rachel were on a break.
