From Short-Lived Roles to Iconic Stars: The Path to Friendship

Before landing their iconic roles in the beloved sitcom Friends, the main actors had already been through a

Before landing their iconic roles in the beloved sitcom Friends, the main actors had already been through a journey filled with varying careers and experiences in the entertainment world. Each actor brought something unique to the table, paving the way for their eventual success in one of the most beloved TV shows of all time.

Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green

Before becoming the beloved Rachel Green, Jennifer Aniston was already carving her path in the entertainment industry. Her early roles included:
Ferris Bueller (1990-1991): Aniston's first notable TV role was on the sitcom Ferris Bueller, a TV adaptation of the 1986 John Hughes film Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The series lasted 13 episodes running from August 1990 – August 1991. The Edge (1992): Aniston was cast in a regular role on the Fox sketch comedy show The Edge, a blend of Saturday Night Live (SNL) and In Living Color. The series ran for 18 episodes before it was cancelled in 1992. Muddling Through (1994): Although not as well-known, Aniston appeared in Muddling Through, a CBS sitcom that ran from July 9, 1994, to September 7, 1994, two weeks before the premiere of Friends.

Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing

Matthew Perry's journey to Friends was filled with guest starring roles and minor TV appearances. Here are some of his notable roles:
Second Chance (1987): Perry's earliest high-profile role was in the sitcom Second Chance, which revolved around a man from the future who is killed in a hovercraft accident. The show was cancelled after 21 episodes. Growing Pains (1989): Perry appeared as Sandy, the boyfriend of one of the main characters, Carol (played by Tracey Gold), in three episodes, which culminated tragically with Carol's death after drinking and driving. Growing Pains ran from 1985 to 1994. Beverly Hills 90210 (1991): Perry guest starred in a memorable episode, where he played Roger Azarian, a popular high school senior. His character was talked out of committing suicide by another character played by Jason Priestley.

Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani

Matt LeBlanc, best known for his role as Joey in Friends, had several roles before landing his iconic character. Here are some of his earlier roles:
TV 101 (1988): LeBlanc's first significant role was playing a popular high school jock in the series TV 101, which ran for only one season. Married... with Children (1991): In 1991, LeBlanc played Vinnie Verducci, a dumb boyfriend to the main character's girlfriend, in three episodes. The producers of Married... with Children tried to spin his character off into his own show Top of the Heap, but the series only lasted seven episodes. Red Shoe Diaries (1991): LeBlanc appeared in a small role on the erotic drama series Red Shoe Diaries.

Courteney Cox as Monica Geller

Courteney Cox had already gained some recognition before she was cast in Friends. Here are some of her notable earlier roles:
Misfits of Science (1985): Cox's first starring role was in the science-fiction series Misfits of Science, where she played the telekinetic teen, Gloria. The series lasted 16 episodes. Family Ties (1987-1989): Before Friends, Cox was best known as Alex P. Keaton's girlfriend, Lauren Miller, in the popular series Family Ties. She guest-starred on the show from 1987-89. Seinfeld (1994): Cox made a notable guest appearance on the sitcom Seinfeld as Meryl, Jerry's girlfriend, who poses as his wife to get a 25% discount on dry cleaning.

David Schwimmer as Ross Geller

David Schwimmer had a varied career in the mid-1990s, including appearances in several TV shows. Here are some of his notable roles before Friends:
Misfits of Science (1991): Schwimmer made a small recurring role as Michael Karen Arnold's loser hippie boyfriend in this science-fiction series, which lasted until 1992. L.A. Law (1992): Schwimmer guest-starred in a five-episode arc playing City Attorney Dana Romney on the drama series L.A. Law. NYPD Blue (1993): In the first four episodes of the popular cop drama NYPD Blue, Schwimmer played Josh ‘4B’ Goldstein, seeking revenge on a man who mugged him.

Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay

Lisa Kudrow's road to Friends included a mix of guest roles and small recurring roles as well as her most memorable one.
Cheers (1989): Kudrow appeared as Emily, a character who tries to seduce Woody, played by Woody Harrelson, in Cheers. Newhart (1990): She guest-starred on the final episode of the CBS sitcom Newhart, which is considered one of the most iconic finales in TV history. Mad About You (1992): Kudrow was cast in a small recurring role as Ursula Buffay, a waitress at Riff's, the restaurant frequented on the series, who always forgets everyone's orders. She continued to guest-star on the show until the series finale in 1999 when she would play Ursula's twin sister, Phoebe, in Friends.

From short-lived series to well-known television and film appearances, each actor brought their unique experiences to the table, contributing to the success of the iconic series Friends. Although none of the actors were major stars before Friends, their varied backgrounds and previous experiences greatly influenced their roles and success in the show.

Keywords: Friends, Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc