David Schwimmer was, is, and always will be Ross Geller to the world. While that did not sit well with the actor for a long while, he has accepted the fact that some things are just inevitable. When he joined the cast of FRIENDS, he, and the rest of his co-stars from the show, probably had no idea what they would go on to become in just a few more years. But here we are, decades since the show concluded, still unable to stop being in awe of it.

Friends: The Reunion | HBO Max

From 1994 to 2004, the six friends came to our screens and lighted up our lives with their friendship and camaraderie. The sitcom is still one of the very best and has become a comfort space for so many of us. Whether it’s Ross and Rachel’s bickering, Joey’s goofy personality, Phoebe’s silliness, or Chandler and Monica’s love story that everyone fell in love with, the show had something for everyone.

David Schwimmer Reveals His Closest FRIEND(S)

FRIENDS is a story of 6 people in their 20s, living in New York City, as they go through life learning about each other, as well as themselves. The comic timing is one thing, but what people loved the most about the show was how well the main star cast gelled together to bring everyday scenarios on screen. The relatability of the stories and the humor with which it was presented was the cherry on top.

David Schwimmer in FRIENDS | Warner Bros. Television

Even after the show ended in 2004, the cast remained friends beyond the screen they shared together for a decade. While David Schwimmer‘s Ross Geller spent most of his time in the show in and around Rachel, played by Jennifer Aniston, in real life the person he is closest to among the rest of his cast mates is someone else. Back in 2020, the actor spoke to The Guardian, and revealed how he is still in touch with his FRIENDS.

We all had a little reunion dinner at Courteney’s house recently. Everyone drifts and everyone has families and gets on with it so there are different relationships among the cast, but I’m probably closest to LeBlanc on a regular basis. I’m the only one that lives in New York.

The cast got together back in 2021 for FRIENDS: The Reunion, where all six actors (and a few more from the recurring cast) made an appearance. They spoke of some behind-the-scenes tidbits, shared their fondest memories from back then, and just enjoyed reminiscing their best years.

We Lost a Friend Last Year

The end of 2023 was a huge shock for a lot of fans when news of Matthew Perry‘s passing broke. The actor who played the ever sarcastic, but still loveable Chandler Bing, was only 54 years when he died of acute effects of ketamine. Because of his addiction, he had led a very difficult life. But he made recovery and became a spokesperson for the National Association of Drug Court Professionals in support of funding for drug courts.

Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing in FRIENDS | Warner Bros. Television

He was an advocate for rehabilitation and received the Champion of Recovery Award from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in 2013. After his death on October 28, 2023, the National Philanthropic Trust established the “Matthew Perry Foundation” in support of people suffering from addiction.

Courtney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, and David Schwimmer, all attended his funeral alongside his family and released a joint statement (via PEOPLE):

We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family. There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.

In time we will say more, as and when we are able. For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.

You can reminisce and remember Perry and the rest of the cast with FRIENDS, available for streaming on Max.