It's Been 24 Years Since "Friends" Aired — So Here's The Cast In The First Episode, Last Episode, And Now

It's been 24 years and we're all officially ancient.

I'm sure you didn't want to feel ancient today, so I'm sorry for what I'm about to tell you: This past weekend marked the 24th anniversary of the day Friends aired for the first time.

NBC

I know we've all spent the last 24 years watching and re-watching our favourite episodes, so it doesn't feel like it's been that long. But time is wild like that!

So, to celebrate the big anniversary, here's a look at what the beloved main cast are up to nowadays...

Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green

NBC / Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images

Now: Jen's film career has been thriving ever since Friends ended. Right now, she's starring in upcoming film Dumplin', which will be released on Netflix.

Fun Friends fact: Jennifer was originally called in to audition for Monica, but decided she liked Rachel after reading the script. She was also the last member of the main cast to be hired, as she was originally unavailable to take the part.

Courteney Cox as Monica Geller

NBC / Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images

Now: Courteney starred on the hugely successful Cougar Town from 2009 to 2015, as well as appearing in Scrubs and, of course, the Scream movies.

Fun Friends fact: Courteney was pregnant with her daughter Coco during filming for the last season, but since it had been established on the show that Monica and Chandler couldn't have children, she had to simply hide her bump with baggy clothes.

Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay

NBC / Tibrina Hobson / Getty Images

Now: Lisa's had several big TV roles, from The Comeback to Web Therapy to Bojack Horseman. And let's not forget her iconic performance in Easy A.

Fun Friends fact: Lisa originally played Phoebe's twin sister Ursula on the sitcom Mad About You. After Friends started airing in the slot after Mad About You, the writers decided that Ursula and Phoebe would be twins to explain Lisa's appearance on both shows.

David Schwimmer as Ross Geller

NBC / Paul Morigi / Getty Images

Now: David appeared opposite his fellow Friends castmates in Web Therapy and Episodes, and of course played Robert Kardashian in The People Vs. OJ Simpson, which earned him an Emmy nomination.

Fun Friends fact: The writers never intended for Ross and Rachel's on-and-off relationship to be such a huge part of the show. They developed the storyline after seeing David's natural chemistry with Jennifer Aniston.

Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing

NBC / Theo Wargo / Getty Images

Now: Like David, Matthew has made appearances opposite the other friends in Web Therapy and Cougar Town. He's also had a recurring role in The Good Wife, and starred in his own TV show, The Odd Couple.

Fun Friends fact: Matthew was originally signed on to another project, and therefore couldn't audition for Chandler, but he helped some of his friends with their auditions since he was so similar to the character. After his original project didn't get picked up, Matthew auditioned himself, and obviously got the part.

Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani

NBC / Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images

Now: Matt achieved huge success with his sitcom Episodes, in which he played an exaggerated version of himself. He also took on a different role in 2016, when it was announced he'd be presenting Top Gear.

Fun Friends fact: Matt seriously injured himself during the filming of "The One Where No One's Ready". When he and Matthew Perry were racing to get to the big armchair, he fell onto the floor and dislocated his shoulder, which is why Joey wears a sling for a few episodes of Season 3,

Here's to another 24 years of rewatches!

NBC