Friends was one of the most beloved shows of the 1990s. With the lovable cast of Rachel, Ross, Joey, Chandler, Phoebe, and Monica, it quickly became the most well-known show on TV. Most impressive was perhaps the number of guest stars and celebrity cameos the show managed to get over the years. Some of these famous faces went on to be way more successful than any of the main cast...
George Clooney
Did you know notice that superstar George Clooney twice made appearances on the hit TV show? It's true! Between filming episodes of ER, he managed to show up as a doctor in the other show! He even acted as a date for Rachel Green. What a dream couple!
Robin Williams
Another celebrity cameo in "The One with the Ultimate Fighting Champion" was with comedy legend Robin Williams. He starred alongside Billy Crystal. They were filming another production on the Friends lot, so they decided to pop in. The cast was thrilled to have them make an appearance!
Noah Wyle
Alongside George Clooney was another ER hunk, Noah Wyle! He played another doctor in the same hospital as George, and he also managed to get a date with Monica Gellar. Does this hospital only hire the hottest medical professionals on the market?
Jon Lovitz
Seasons 1 and 9 boasted the guest star stylings of actor Jon Lovitz. Would you believe he played two different characters? Good thing audiences didn't notice. He played a high dinner guest in season 1 and a blind date gone wrong for Rachel in season 9.
Helen Hunt
Helen Hunt, lest we not remember, appeared for a short time in Friends. She played Jamie Buchman in a scene at Central Perk, but her roots with the cast go deeper than that. Lisa Kudrow had her own role on Hunt's show as the ditzy waitress Ursula. Sound familiar?
Ben Stiller
In season 3, Ben Stiller appeared on the show as Tommy, a date for Rachel who also had severe anger management issues. He had no idea that his future wife, Christine Taylor, had been appearing on the show that same season. Talk about kismet!
Julia Roberts
Forgetting about Julia Roberts in Friends? Big mistake. Huge! She played a woman named Susie Moss, a childhood friend of Chandler Bing. However, she creates a revenge plot in order to get back at him for an embarrassing stunt when they were young.
Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon was one of the Friends' most famous cameos. The young starlet appeared as Rachel's bratty little sister, Jill in season 6. She was only around for two episodes after appearing in Cruel Intentions and American Psycho. During those episodes, she dated Ross!
Brad Pitt
Can you believe Brad Pitt once settled for sitcom television? The now esteemed actor was married to Jennifer Aniston back then. He appeared on the famous season 8 Thanksgiving episode of the show. Pitt's character was a former overweight classmate and the President of the "I Hate Rachel Club."
Brooke Shields
In the episode titled "The One After the Superbowl", model and actress Brooke Shields stuns as a superfan stalker of Joey's show, Days of our Lives. Unfortunately, she can't figure out that Joey Tribiani isn't actually Dr. Drake Ramoray!
Adam Goldberg
Adam Goldberg once held the coveted reoccurring guest spot of Eddie Menuek, the replacement roommate for Chandler after Joey gets his own place. Goldberg later showed up in productions like Saving Private Ryan, A Beautiful Mind, Entourage, and the Friends spinoff Joey.
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Some of the best cameos come from when celebs are playing themselves, like Jean-Claude Van Damme in season 2. His role involves him being spotted by superfan Monica while he's appearing in a nearby flick. They go on a date, obviously!
Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen has made media enemies throughout his career, but once upon a time he was Ryan, a Navy sailor and chickenpox infected. He and Phoebe have a cute little relationship for one episode. Unfortunately, nothing red and itchy can stay...
Christine Taylor
Ross and Rachel had their ups and downs on this show, but they always got back together. In between these meetups, there was Bonnie, Ross's other on and off again girlfriend. Thankfully, it wasn't her name he said at the altar!
Jason Alexander
Seinfeld star Jason Alexander was one of the biggest actors in the 1990s. He makes a brief cameo appearance in season 7. He plays Earl, a suicidal office manager opposite Lisa Kudrow. Phoebe Buffay makes an effort to connect with him and tries to help...
Bruce Willis
Bruce Willis might be a bit older than Jennifer Anniston, but he was just the right age to be her boyfriend on Friends. Willis played Paul, her on-screen beau, and the father of Ross' twenty-year-old girlfriend. What an interesting setup for the hilarious series...
Isabella Rossellini
Isabella Rossellini, an Italian actress, makes a stop in with the crew at Central Perk as herself. The only issue is that Ross recently said that she is "too international" to be an addition to his celebrity hall pass list. The cameo ends when she finds out she was dropped off the list in favor of Winona Ryder!
Alec Baldwin
Alec Baldwin manages to show up in everything, doesn't he? The esteemed actor has always had his hand in TV, but he's not known for his comedy. He appeared in 2 episodes of the show as Pheobe's boyfriend Parker, whose overly excited fascination with Massapequa upsets everyone.
Billy Crystal
Billy Crystal once starred on the TV show Friends as another crazy character. When filming "The One with the Ultimate Fighting Champion" in season 3, he was there to stop in for a cup of coffee. He improvises a hilarious exchange with another celeb...Robin Williams!
Jon Favreau
Jon Favreau is a directorial legend, but he was once just Pete, Monica's season 3 love interest. Pete dropped her and everything else to pursue his dream in UFC fighting. Jon however went on to direct films like Chef, Iron Man, and The Avengers.
Susan Sarandon
Susan Sarandon starred as Jessica Lockhart in season 7 of the series alongside Joey. She played a soap opera star with a flair for the dramatic, maybe even more so than Joey. She appears in Episode 15 "The One with Joey's New Brain."
Paget Brewster
This girl had it all...in terms of boyfriends. She had an impressive multi-episode-arc as the girlfriend of Joey (and Chandler) named Kathy. She was new to the screen back then, but now she's been in Criminal Minds, Community, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, and Modern Family.
Paul Rudd
These days, everyone loves Paul Rudd. Once upon a time though, he was just a young actor new to the industry. He played Phoebe's boyfriend turned husband in seasons 9 and 10. Mike Hannigan is definitely one of the best boyfriends of the entire show!
Charlton Heston
Charlton Heston was one of those rare cameos who got to appear in the famous series as himself! The signature tough guy act got the royal treatment when he appeared in season 4 alongside Matt LeBlanc. The duo was a comedic crack-up!
Tate Donovan
Tate Donovan was the real-life beau of Jennifer Anniston once upon a time, but he also had a role on her hit show! He played her work crush, but they had already called their engagement quits by then. "It was horrible," said Tate, "I remember just getting back to my dressing room and just weeping."
Michael Vartan
Before he was known as the heartthrob of Never Been Kissed, Michael Vartan guest-starred as Dr. Tim Burke. He turned out to be the son of Monica's ex-boyfriend. Imagine the family meeting when she and Burke start dating!
Sarah Ferguson
Don't recognize this name? Maybe you know her better as the Duchess of York. She was excited to make a cameo with Matt LeBlanc in the episode where Ross marries Emily...infamously. The entire cast traveled to London to watch the couple crash and burn!
Hugh Laurie
Hugh Laurie was thrilled to be on the show for a cameo, though Hugh Laurie didn't act like it! When Rachel is seated next to the actor on the plane, he's not too happy to have an adoring fan fly overseas with him. This is comedy gold!
Steve Zahn
Steve Zahn was in season 2 of the show as Phoebe's husband from Canada, whom she wed for a green card. "I still have people, and this was four days work in my life, around the world that comes up and go 'Ah, Friends,'" said the actor in an EW interview.
Cole Sprouse
Today you'll find him on the set of Riverdale, but before he was a child star, Cole Sprouse was a toddler star. He played Ross' son Ben in seasons 6, 7, and 8. Unlike previous roles, this was the first he didn't switch out with his twin brother, Dylan.
Elle Macpherson
Elle Macpherson stars in season 6 as one of Joey's few and far between serious girlfriends. His dancer roommate, named Janine, was played by the Australian model and he fell for her head over heels. Unfortunately, this love was not built to last for him.
Winona Ryder
Winona Ryder was one of the most notable actresses in the late 1990s, early 2000s, and even today with Stranger Things. She was one of Hollywood's most desired cameos. She got one through Friends when she appeared for an episode as Rachel's college sorority sister.
Kristin Davis
You know her best as Charolette from Sex and the City, but she also played Joey's love interest on Friends! Apparently, despite being at the peak of her fame, she was a nervous wreck appearing on the show. Thankfully, she pushed past the anxiety for a stellar performance.
Sean Penn
Sean Penn was really out of this world in this episode of Friends, huh? The actor appeared several times on the show, but not as the main character or even a love interest. He was the boyfriend of Phoebe's twin sister Ursula. Known to be sweet and gullible, he was even her fiancée.
Aisha Tyler
Aisha Tyler could have been a perfect fit for Joey if he had only had the brains! This actress began her time on the show as his intelligent paleontologist girlfriend named Charlie. However, by the end of season 9, she ended up with Ross...honestly that ending makes a lot more sense!
Hank Azaria
Friends had a real love for characters in the STEM field. Hank Azaria played Phoebe's scientist boyfriend, David, in seasons 1,7, and 9. He moves away to Minsk, Russia at the end of season 1, but he continues to make appearances throughout the rest of the series.
Dermot Mulroney
Dermot Mulroney is probably one of those faces you know but names you don't. He's best known for his role in My Best Friend's Wedding. However, he also played a coworker-turned-crush for a few episodes in season 9 of Friends. He says he still gets complimented for his role as Gavin!
Christina Applegate
Christina Applegate was a fan favorite appearance, showing up in the series from seasons 9 to 10. She played Rachel's other sister, Amy Green. It was so beloved of a performance that she even earned an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy in 2003. You go, girl!
Dakota Fanning
For a while, Dakota Fanning was America's sweetheart. The blondie beauty played a kid that Joey meets at an Open House, but she's got a pretty stacked IMdB page. She's been in Cat in the Hat, Uptown Girls, and Sweet Home Alabama to name a few of her iconic roles.
Greg Kinnear
Greg Kinnear got the delightful role of breaking up Ross and Charlie in the episode "The One with Ross' Grant." Greg played Benjamin Hobart, aka the ex-boyfriend of Charlie, played by reoccurring guest star Aisha Tyler. Needless to say, Ross was not the one she ended up with...
Danny DeVito
Danny DeVito is a legendary comedy actor, and this episode proved his industry chops. In "The One Where the Stripper Cries" DeVito plays a male performer with a sensitive side. One of the final episodes of the show is not one worth skipping over thanks to him!
Anna Faris
Anna Faris plays a very important role in this series...the biological mother to Monica and Chandler's twins who they later adopt. She's on-screen and off throughout season 10, but delivers big laughs every time. Monica and Chandler couldn't have given those kids better genes!
Soleil Moon Frye
Soleil Moon Frye might better be known to fans as Katie, the girl who can really pack a punch! In "The One with the Girl Who Hits Joey," Frye plays the girl in question. She manages to make quite an impact on the young stud, but not in the way he might expect!
Denise Richards
Denise Richards is a stunning beauty... who would believe she was part of the Gellar family tree? Richards played Cassie Gellar, Ross's cousin. Obviously, all the friends get a crush on her...even Ross himself! Of course, this ends in terrible (but well-earned!) embarrassment.
Jeff Goldblum
Jeff Goldblum is known for his many incredible film roles, but some superfans might know him best as pretentious director Leonard Hayes. Joey goes to the ends of the earth, or at least Manhattan, to get on his good side. Nothing works out well for him though, as usual!
Freddie Prinze, Jr.
Freddie Prinze, Jr. was a Hollywood heartthrob for several years, so it makes sense that he'd find his way to this show. Sandy might be the perfect nanny for Ross and Rachel's daughter Emma, but Ross can't get over the fact that he's a male babysitter. Weird...
Bob Balaban
Bob Balaban had the role and honor of playing the father to Phoebe Buffay. The audience meets him only once, at a Buffay grandmother's funeral. Though Phoebe tries to patch up their relationship, some things are better left in the past for a reason.
Morgan Fairchild
Nora-Tyler Bing deserved more time on the screen. Chandler’s romance novelist mother is seen in only five episodes. The bombshell mom left an impression on Ross early on in his life. She is by her son's side for a few big moments, such as his wedding day to Monica.
Giovanni Ribisi
Giovanni Ribisi is a familiar face for a reason, he was Phoebe's brother! Frank Buffay Jr. appears in nine episodes of the show as Phoebe is carrying the child of him and his infertile wife. Without him, we'd have never gotten the line "I’m having my brother’s babies!"
Jill Goodacre
Jill Goodacre got the exciting role of playing herself in an iconic episode of the series. Trapped in an ATM area, Chandler finds himself alone and nervous beside the supermodel. He tries to play it cool, but he chokes (literally, he coughs up his gum!).
Kathleen Turner
Kathleen Turner was ahead of her time playing Chandler's transgender father. Whether you remember this character as Charles Bing or as Helena Handbasket, you definitely remember the stress Chandler had because of it. Ah the 1990s, what a wild and totally different time.
Elliott Gould
No one can appease the Geller family, especially when Elliott Gould is playing father Jack Geller. He has a knack for making an awkward situation a million times worse by being incredibly inappropriate. With Ross and Monica competing for their approval, chaos and hilarity always ensue.
Maggie Wheeler
Maggie Wheeler is one of the show's best characters. Don't remember? Oh. My. God! It's obviously Janice Hosenstein, Chandler's nasally and clingy girlfriend whom he abandons by pretending he is moving to Yemen. To be fair, it works...for a little while!
Marlo Thomas
Marlo Thomas is Sandra Green in this series. In "The One with the Lesbian Wedding," Rachel's mom comes to visit the girls in NYC and leaves ready to get divorced. She follows Rachel's advice to do what she wants and live a little, not a bad life lesson!
Christina Pickles
Christina Pickles as the Geller matriarch is one of the series' best roles. She delivers harsh critiques to her beloved children that never seem to land quite as smoothly as she thinks. She got an Emmy nomination for her part in the Season 1 episode "The One Where Nana Dies Twice."
Tom Selleck
Tom Selleck played Monica's older, handsome boyfriend. He met Monica through her parents, with whom he was longtime friends. Obviously, this makes for some uncomfortable situations between the two worlds. Age is just a number, but that number was enough to keep these two apart...until Monica dates his son!
Gary Oldman
Gary Oldman is the only thing standing in the way of Joey getting to Chandler and Monica's wedding on time. Playing the alcoholic actor Richard Crosby, he needs to get through his lines for Joey to get on the road. Joey ends up at the wedding... still in his costume!
James Michael Tyler
James Michael Tyler was famously known as being Gunther on the show. He had a crush on Rachel it seemed, though he acted pretty strange about it. As long as this coffee addict was at the counter, customers were sure to get a sassy remark and a cup of joe to enjoy.
Helen Baxendale
Helen Victoria Baxendale is an actress from across the pond, a real Englishwoman! She is known for her roles both on stage and television. She played one of Ross's most serious girlfriends, Emily Waltham. However, that wasn't the name he said when he was at the altar of the Church...
Bonnie Somerville
Bonnie Somerville played Mona, one of Ross's girlfriends, for seven episodes in the 8th season of Friends. The two get together just about the same time that Ross learns Rachel is pregnant with his child. Though she sticks around for a while, Mona just wasn't the right one in the end...