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Friends: See the stars then and now

friends
Sharnaz Shahid
Deputy Online Editor
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friends© Photo: Getty Images

It's hard to believe that it has been over 13 years since the last episode of Friends was aired on television. Here at HELLO! Online, we have decided to take a look back at the unforgettable stars and their characters - Matthew Perry (Chandler), Jennifer Aniston (Rachel), Matt LeBlanc (Joey), Courteney Cox (Monica), David Schwimmer (Ross) and Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe).

STORY: Here's how much coffee the Friends characters drank over 10 seasons

1. Matthew Perry, Chandler

Then: Chandler Bing was famous for his trademark sarcastic wit, and went on to find love with long-time friend and neighbour Monica.

Now: The actor starred in CBS's The Odd Couple, which debuted in 2015. More recently, he has been seen in TV shows The Kennedys and The Good Fight.

friends© Photo: Getty Images

2. Jennifer Aniston, Rachel

Then: Rachel Green's on/off relationship with Ross had viewers hooked throughout the ten year series. Despite her rollercoaster love life, Rachel won everyone over with her signature hairdo and penchant for shopping.

STORY: Why Jennifer Aniston thinks a Friends reunion would be boring

Now: Following her divorce from Brad Pitt, Jennifer is now happily married to American film producer Justin Theroux. She has starred in Hollywood hits, We're the Millers, The Break-Up and Mother's Day. She recently disappointed Friends fans by saying she thinks a revival of the hit sitcom would be boring. The actress explained her opinion during an appearance on iHeartRadio, saying she thinks that our obsession with technology would change the dynamic of the show. "We were jokingly saying that if Friends was created today, you would have a coffee shop full of people that were just staring into iPhones," she explained. "There would be no actual conversations."

friends© Photo: Getty Images

3. Matt LeBlanc, Joey

Then: Joey Tribbiani was the show's beloved ladies' man, who melted hearts with his "How You Doin?" line.

STORY: Friends is being made into a musical!

Now: Matt went on to star in television series Episodes as a fictional version of himself. Since 2016, the actor has been fronting popular motoring show Top Gear.

friends© Photo: Getty Images

4. Courteney Cox, Monica

Then: Monica Geller, also Ross' little sister, will be remembered for her obsessive-compulsive personality and being the "mother" of the group. Following a series of failed relationships and brief flings, Monica finally settled down with her brother's best friend Chandler.

Now: Courteney, who has a teenage daughter Coco with ex-husband David Arquette, is currently loved up with fiance Johnny McDaid, who she has dated on-and-off since 2013. Her show Cougar Town wrapped up in 2015 and she has since appeared on Running Wild with Bear Grylls.

friends© Photo: Getty Images

5. David Schwimmer, Ross

Then: There's no denying that Ross Geller was the smartest member of the group. The palaeontologist was beloved by many thanks to his geeky persona and for his persistence in pursuing Rachel – despite a series of failed marriages.

STORY: David Schwimmer confirms he and wife Zoe Buckman are on a break

Now: Most recently, David gave a critically acclaimed performance as Robert Kardashian on FX's The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. In April 2017, it was announced that David had separated from wife Zoe Buckman. The couple, who are parents to five-year-old daughter Cleo, confirmed to Us Magazine that they are spending some time apart to "re-evaluate their relationship".

friends© Photo: Getty Images

6. Lisa Kudrow, Phoebe

Then: Phoebe Buffay will forever be remembered for her musical 'talents' - in particular her performance of "Smelly Cat" - and her love of animals. She ended up married to pianist Mike with the couple planning to start a family together as the show ended.

Now: Lisa has starred in various Hollywood films, including P.S. I Love You, Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising and The Girl on the Train. The actress recently opened up about the possibility of a Friends reunion, telling Heat magazine: "I feel like I'm just constantly bursting that little bubble of hope, each and every time it's asked. It's been 13 years, 13 years of the same question and right now, or in the future, it's not going to happen. And every time I say that, I get yelled at [laughs]. Yeah, [it] probably won't happen]. What's it going to be about? Really, how is it going to work? This is what everybody is forgetting."

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