Friends reunited . . . stars roll back the years as the royalties still roll in
THEY were back together on the sofa, only this time it wasn’t to drink coffee in Central Perk.
And only five of the Friends had made it to their reunion.
But it was soon clear that Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow had lost none of their on-screen camaraderie.
They were back together for a tribute to veteran US sitcom director James Burrows, which was screened on Sunday night.
The absent Friend, Matthew Perry, appeared via video link from London, where he is acting in The End Of Longing, his debut as a playwright.
Miss Aniston wiped away a tear as tribute was paid to Burrows, who as well as Friends was responsible for a string of other sitcoms including Cheers and Frasier. Friends ran for ten years until 2004 – although each of the stars is said still to be earning £14million a year from the show in royalties. However, that has not stopped them being busy in the past 12 years.
Lisa Kudrow, 52:
Played ditzy vegetarian singer Phoebe Buffay. Married to French advertising executive Michael Stern since 1995, her pregnancy was written into the show when they had a son. Now runs an online series, Web Therapy, and has been executive producer of the US version of genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are? Films include PS I Love You, Easy A and the forthcoming The Girl on the Train.
David Schwimmer, 49: Played Ross Geller, a fossil expert with a disastrous love life. Dated singer Natalie Imbruglia before marrying Zoe Buckman. They have a daugh-
ter Cleo. Was the voice of giraffe Melman in animated film Madagascar. Directed hit comedy Run Fat Boy Run and has acted on stage in London and Broadway. Currently on TV in The People vs OJ Simpson: American Crime Story and is set to star in new Channel
4 sitcom Morning Has Broken.
Courteney Cox, 51:
Played Ross’s obsessive- compulsive sister Monica. Divorced in 2013 from husband David
Arquette, with whom she has a daughter Coco. Was engaged to Snow Patrol musician Johnny McDaid but they split in 2015. Starred in the Scream film series and has appeared in more than a dozen movies. Biggest recent TV role was as a newly-divorced forty-something in Cougar Town.
4 Matt LeBlanc, 48:
Played dim aspiring actor Joey Tribbiani. Divorced from Britishborn model Melissa McKnight, with whom he has a daughter, Marina, 11. Starred in failed Friends spin-off Joey. Now plays exaggerated version of himself in BBC2 sitcom Episodes and recently landed a job as one of the main presenters in the new Top Gear.
5 Jennifer Aniston, 47:
Played spoilt daddy’s girl Rachel Green. Five-year marriage to Brad Pitt ended in 2005. After a succession of relationships, married actor Justin Theroux, 44, last year. Has starred in several successful rom-coms and comedy dramas such as The Break-Up, Horrible Bosses. Marley & Me, We’re the Millers and Along Came Polly.
6 Matthew Perry, 46:
Played sarcastic IT manager Chandler Bing. Linked romantically to a series of actresses including Elizabeth Hurley, Renee Zellweger and Julia Roberts. Played lead role in the 2006 TV film The Ron Clark Story and starred in 2011 sitcom Mr Sunshine.