Supporting Cast
When you think of Friends you think of Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe and Joey but there are a few other characters who have made regular appearances, whether for a few seasons are throughout the whole 10 years, and who have helped make the show the success it is. Find out a bit about them here...
James Michael Tyler
 |
Character |
Gunther - Owner of the coffee house and long term secret admirer of Rachel. |
|---|---|---|
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D.O.B |
May 28, 1962 |
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Born |
Winona, Mississippi |
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Height |
5' 11" |
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Siblings |
Youngest of 5 |
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Spouse |
Barbara |
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Children |
None |
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Facts about James |
He was originally an extra but was cast as Gunther because he was the only extra who knew how to operate an espresso machine. His signature peroxide blonde hair was actually accidental. The day before the Friends audition, a friend who studied to become a hairdresser experimented on his hair. When he showed up for the audition, the producer liked it so much they decided to keep it. He graduated from Clemson University with a degree in geology. He enjoys playing the keyboard and writing music. He also enjoys tennis,golf and jogging. |
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Also starred in... |
Scrubs (2005) # 4.23 Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (2001) # 5.11 Just Shoot Me! (2000) # 5.4 Motel Blue (1999) Foreign Correspondents (1999) The Disturbance at Dinner (1998) |
Maggie Wheeler
 |
Character |
Janice Litman - On/off girlfriend of Chandler prior to his marriage to Monica. |
|---|---|---|
|
D.O.B |
August 7, 1961 |
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Born |
New York, New York |
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Siblings |
Unknown |
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Spouse |
Daniel Wheeler |
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Children |
2 daughters |
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Facts about Maggie |
She originally auditioned for the role of Monica. The character Janice is a parody of actress Fran Drescher. She dated David Duchovny before he married Tea Leoni. She really was pregnant with her elder daughter when Janice appeared heavily pregnant in the show. |
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Also starred in... |
ER (2006) # 13.5 Dr. Dolittle 3 (V) (2006) Everybody Loves Raymond (1996-2004) 11 episodes Will & Grace (2002) # 4.14 The Parent Trap (1998) The X Files (1994) # 1.21 Seinfeld (1992) # 3.16 |
Elliott Gould
 |
Character |
Jack Geller - Ross and Monica's father. |
|---|---|---|
|
D.O.B |
August 29, 1938 |
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Born |
Brooklyn, New York |
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Height |
6' 3" |
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Siblings |
Unknown |
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Spouse |
Divorced |
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Children |
1 son, Jason, with Barbra Streisand 1 son, Sam, and 1 daughter with Jennifer Bogart |
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Facts about Elliot |
He was married to Barbra Streisand form 1963 to 1971 He has hosted Saturday Night Live six times He a regular guest on FOX News Channel broadcasts. His Broadway theatre credits include Irma La Douce, I Can Get It for You Wholesale, Drat! The Cat!, and Little Murders. |
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Also starred in... |
Oceans Eleven/Twelve/Thirteen (2001/2004/2007) The Naked Gun 33 1/3 (1994) Bugsy (1991) A Bridge Too Far (1977) The Long Goodbye (1973) M*A*S*H (1970) |
Christina Pickles
 |
Character |
Judy Geller - Ross and Monica's mother. |
|---|---|---|
|
D.O.B |
February 17, 1935 |
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Born |
Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
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Siblings |
1 brother, James |
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Spouse |
Unknown |
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Children |
1 son, Oliver, and 1 daughter, Rebecca |
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Facts about Christina |
She is a naturalized U.S. citizen. She auditioned for the role of Dr. Katharine Pulaski on Star Trek: The Next Generation. She is the niece of radio presenter Wilfred Pickles. |
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Also starred in... |
George of the Jungle 2 (v) (2003) The Wedding Singer (1998) Party of Five (1998) # 3.16 Baz Luhrmann's Romeo and Juliet (1996) Murder, She Wrote (1995) # 12.10 St. Elsewhere (1982-1988) 6 episodes |
Tom Selleck
 |
Character |
Dr Richard Burk - Monica's boyfriend during seasons 4? |
|---|---|---|
|
D.O.B |
January 29, 1945 |
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Born |
Detroit, Michigan |
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Height |
6' 4" |
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Siblings |
Unknown |
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Spouse |
Jillie Mack |
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Children |
1 stepson, Kevin, and 1 daughter, Hannah |
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Facts about Tom |
He did modeling work and attended the University of Southern California on a basketball scholarship. He screen-tested for the role of Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark but Magnum's producers would not release him so he had to pass on the role, which then went to Harrison Ford. He shaved off his trademark moustache for the 1997 film In & Out (1997). Once rarely seen without it, he has since kept it off for most of his stage and screen work. He was chosen by People Magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world in 1998. |
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Also starred in... |
In & Out (1997) The Chevy Chase Show (1993) Mr. Baseball (1992) Three Men and a Little Lady (1990) Her Alibi (1989) Three Men and a Baby (1987) Magnum P.I. (1980 - 1988) 116 episodes |
Giovanni Ribisi
 |
Character |
Frank Buffay Jr - Phoebe's long lost younger brother |
|---|---|---|
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D.O.B |
December 17, 1974 |
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Born |
Los Angeles, CA |
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Height |
5' 7.5" |
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Siblings |
1 brother, Gina, and 1 twin sister, Marissa |
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Spouse |
Divorced |
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Children |
1 daughter, Lucia |
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Facts about Giovanni |
He began his career in network television with recurring and guest roles on a number of shows, including The Wonder Years and My Two Dads. He won the ShoWest Newcomer of the Year Award in 1999. He is an active Scientologist. He has been on the cover of Vanity Fair. |
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Also starred in... |
Crystal Ball - Keane (music video) (2006) Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004) Cold Mountain (2003) Lost in Translation (2003) The Gift (2000) Gone in Sixty Seconds (2000) Saving Private Ryan (1998) The X-Files # 3.3 (1995) |
Jane Sibbett
 |
Character |
Carol Willick - Ross' first wife and mother of his son Ben |
|---|---|---|
|
D.O.B |
November 28, 1962 |
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Born |
Berkeley, CA |
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Siblings |
Youngest of 5 |
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Spouse |
Karl Fink |
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Children |
3 children |
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Facts about Jane |
She was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority while at UCLA. In the late 70s Jane became a teenage DJ and station manager at K-RAT in Sacramento, California. She owns 6 horses and 3 pigs. Blue is her favorite "lucky" color. |
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Also starred in... |
Charlotte's Web (v) (2006) A One Time Thing (2004) (producer) Ally McBeal (2002) # 5.15 The Second Arrival (1998) Just in Time (1997) It Takes Two (1995) Herman's Head (1991) # 4.23 |
Jessica Hecht
 |
Character |
Susan Bunch - Carol's lesbian lover and thorn in Ross' side |
|---|---|---|
|
D.O.B |
June 28, 1965 |
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Born |
Princeton, New Jersey |
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Siblings |
Unknown |
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Spouse |
Adam Bernstein |
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Children |
None |
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Facts about Jessica |
She was a nanny to George Wendt's 3 children when she first arrived in Los Angeles in 1993. She has a BFA in Drama from New York University, Tisch School of the Arts. |
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Also starred in... |
ER (2005) # 12.3, #12.5 The Forgotten (2004) Sideways (2004) Jump (1999) Party Of Five (1994) # 1.9 Seinfeld (1994) # 6.5, #6.6 |
Helen Baxendale
 |
Character |
Emily Waltham - Ross' girlfriend/wife/ex-wife |
|---|---|---|
|
D.O.B |
February 14, 1969 |
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Born |
Lichfield, Staffordshire, UK |
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Height |
5' 6" |
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Siblings |
Unknown |
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Spouse |
David Elliot |
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Children |
1 daughter, Nell, and 2 sons, Eric and Vincent |
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Facts about Helen |
She can't drive. She wanted to be a ballet dancer when she was younger. Her first pregnancy was written into An Unsuitable Job for a Woman and her second was written into Cold Feet She has been nominated for 2 Scottish BAFTA awards. |
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Also starred in... |
Cold Feet (1997 - 2003) 23 episodes An Unsuitable Job for a Woman (1997 - 2001) 4 episodes Dead by Monday (2001) Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years (2001) Ordinary Decent Criminal (2000) Macbeth (1997) Bolse vita (1996) |
Paul Rudd (I)
 |
Character |
Mike Hannigan - Phoebe's husband |
|---|---|---|
|
D.O.B |
April 6, 1969 |
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Born |
Passaic, New Jersey |
|
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Height |
5' 9" |
|
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Siblings |
1 sister |
|
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Spouse |
Julie Yaeger |
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Children |
1 son |
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Facts about Paul |
He was a DJ at Bar Mitzvahs before his career took off. He is of half Polish, half French descent. While he played the original Josh in the 1995 blockbuster Clueless, he returned to play the character of Sonny when the movie was adapted into a television show in 1996. He describes himself a "mega-fan" of the TV show Lost. |
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Also starred in... |
Night at the Museum (2006) The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005) The Cider House Rules (1999) The Object of My Affection (1998) with Jennifer Ansiton Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995) Clueless (1995) |