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30 celebs that guest-starred on “Friends” [Photos]

You will be surprised to see who sat on the iconic orange sofa at Central Perk


Andrea Pérez
Deputy Editor Miami
UPDATED MAY 20, 2021 7:07 PM EDT

As we get ready for the super anticipated “Friends” reunion on May 27th, let’s look back at the impressive list of big celebrities that guest-starred along with Monica, Rachel, Phoebe, Ross, Joey and Chandler. Just like in Law and Order, many of our favorite stars made their appearance during the 10 seasons of the show.

Some of the biggest names in Hollywood came on the show for a short cameo in an episode or two such George Clooney and Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Danny Devito, and Reese Witherspoon. While other famous actors, stayed a bit longer for recurring roles, like Paul Rudd, Tom Selleck, Anna Faris, to name a few.

Brad Pitt in Friends© GettyImages

Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt was on the show during season 8. He played one of Ross’ old friend named Will Colbert who went to school with Monica, Ross and Rachel. He hated Rachel in High School and was the president of the “I Hate Rachel Green Club” in high school.

Julia Roberts on the set of "Friends"© GettyImages

Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts came on for one episode in the role of Susie Moss. She was one of Chandler’s childhood friend and when they unexpectedly run into each other they decide to go on date.

Friends© GettyImages

Sean Penn

For two episodes, Sean Penn played Phoebe‘s twin sister fiancé, Ursula. After he ended with Ursula, he tried dating Phoebe but he could not get Ursula out of his head, since of course they were twins.

George Clooney & Noah Wyle on 'Friends'© GettyImages

George Clooney and Noah Wyle

Right after the popularity of E.R. , the two handsome doctors from that show, George Clooney and Noah Wyle guest-starred on Friends and went on a double date with Monica and Rachel.

Charlie Sheen in Friends© GettyImages

Charlie Sheen

Charlie Sheen played a sailor named Ryan. He was one of Phoebe’s old boyfriends, that came to visit her after being away in the Navy. Unfortunately, while he is in town...they both get chickenpox.

Jean Claude Van Damme on Friends© GettyImages

Jean Claude Van Damme

Jean Claude Van Damme actually plays himself. Monica and Rachel get on an argument when he asked Rachel out on a date, even though she was asking him if he would go out with Monica.

Friends© GettyImages

Danny DeVito

Danny DeVito hilariously played a stripper dressed as a cop outfit at Phoebe‘s bachelorette party.

Reese Witherspoon in Friends© GettyImages

Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon was a guest-star in two episodes, you would think it would be more as she played Jill Green, Rachel‘s younger sister! In one episode she tried to date Ross but Rachel would not have it.

Susan Sarandon Friends© GettyImages

Susan Sarandon

Susan Sarandon plays Jessica Lockhart a “Days of Our Lives” star that gets killed off the show and the writers bring Joey’s character back because her brain is transplanted into his body.

Friends© GettyImages

Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder made an appearance on season 7, as Melissa Warburton. She was Rachel‘s friend from college who she kissed after getting drunk on night. Rachel goes nuts the whole episode because Melissa doesn’t remember it...however in the end, Rachel kisses Melisa again, and she comes clean that she did remember.

Bruce Willis in Friends© GettyImages

Bruce Willis

Bruce Willis played Paul Stevens, who was the father of Ross’ young girlfriend, who happened to be his student. While that is already awkward, Paul starts dating Rachel which makes it even weirder.

Ben Stiller on Friends© GettyImages

Ben Stiller

Ben Stiller made an appearance as Tommy, one of Rache’s date. In the beginning of the episode, he screams at Ross really badly, showing his horrible temper. Ross tries to tell the entire gang that there is something wrong with him, but Tommy has everyone convinced he is super nice. Until of course...He gets caught yelling at Joey’s and Chandler’s pet duck.

Isabella Rossellini on Friends© GettyImages

Isabella Rossellini

The amazing and glamorous, Isabella Rossellini, made an appearance as herself, as one fo the stars that Ross put in his list of celebs he would want Rachel to allow him to sleep with.

Friends© GettyImages

Paul Rudd

The famous Paul Rudd of Avengers, had a reoccurring role, Mike Hannigan. He was Phoebe’s boyfriend who ended up becoming her husband.

Christina Applegate on Friends© GettyImages

Christina Applegate

So Rachel had another sister, Amy Green, played by Christina Applegate. Amy was the irresponsible sister that takes Emma, Rachel‘s baby, to get her ears pierced without Rachel’s or Ross’ permission...and she also gets in little fight with Rachel when she implies that Emma is not a cute kid.

Elle Macpherson on Friends© GettyImages

Elle Macpherson

When Chandler moves out, Joey finds a hot roomie, Australian model, Elle Macpherson. They date for a bit, but she just can’t stand the rest of the hang and has issues with Monica, so eventually they end their relationship.

Robin Williams and Billy Crystal on Friends© GettyImages

Robin Williams and Billy Crystal

Two huge Hollywood legends, Robin Williams and Billy Crystal also guest-starred in “Friends”. They played two customers at the coffee shop that annoyed Monica. And of course, the cast wanted a group photo with them on the set.

Jeff Goldblum on Friends© GettyImages

Jeff Goldblum

The famous Jurassic Park and Independence Day actor, Jeff Goldblum also made an appearance was the director of play that Joey is doing...is gives Joey acting pointers.

Jane Lynch on Friends© GettyImages

Jane Lynch

Comedian and “Glee” star, Jane Lynch played the real estate agent that showed Monica and Chandler houses in Season 10.

Aisha Tyler on Friends© GettyImages

Aisha Tyler

Aisha Tyler had the role of Charlie Wheeler. She initially dated Joey, but after being around Ross and having more in common academically and professionally, she breaks up with Joey and dates Ross.

Freddie Prinze Jr. on Friends© GettyImages

Freddie Prinze Jr.

The cool, Freddie Prinze Jr. plays Sandy, the male nanny that Ross and Rachel hire to take care of Emma.

Friends© GettyImages

Jon Favreau

In severa episodes, Visionary movie director and actor, Jon Favreau, played Monica’s rich boyfriend, Pete Becker. He was a millionaire who was into competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Tom Selleck on Friends© GettyImages

Tom Selleck

Monica dated an older doctor, Richard Burke, M.D. who was 21 years older than her and was friends with her parents. This handsome older man, was no other than Tom Selleck.

Anna Faris on Friends© GettyImages

Anna Faris

Monica and Chandler adopted twins from Erica, a young mother who have they up, played by Anna Faris

Helen Hunt on Friends© GettyImages

Helen Hunt

From the TV show, “Mad About You”, Helen Hunt also had a short cameo in a scene at Central Perk, where she mistakes Phoebe for Ursula, her identical twin sister.

Hugh Laurie on Friends© GettyImages

Hugh Laurie

Dr. House, Hugh Laurie, joined the guest list of “Friends”. He was the moody and disgruntled passenger that sat next to Rachel on the flight to London.

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York on Friends© GettyImages

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York

Even royalty was on “Friends”. Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York had a cameo in the 4th season finale. The episode was filmed in London as Ross was going to marry Emily. Fergi complimented Joey’s hat.

Kristin Davis on Friends© GettyImages

Kristin Davis

Charlotte from Sex in the City, Kristin Davis, had a role as a girl that Joey had a one night stand with and Rachel and Phoebe liked her way more than he did.

Hank Azaria on Friends© GettyImages

Hank Azaria

Hank Azaria known for his voice over characters in The Simpsons, played David, Phoebe’s long time on-and-off boyfriend. She almost married him instead of Mike (Paul Rudd)!

Jason Alexander on Friends© GettyImages

Jason Alexander

Jason Alexander, George from “Seinfeld,” appeared in one episode in which Phoebe worked at a suicide hotline, and she stops him, who is a frustrated office work, from committing suicide.