Friends Rich List: The Wealthiest Actors in the Central Perk Crew, Ranked

The six main actors from ‘Friends’ worked together to not only earn higher salaries throughout the show’s run, but also to receive a share of the profits from its continued success. This deal still earns them money today from reruns and streaming. Beyond ‘Friends,’ each actor went on to build successful careers with additional income from new shows, movies, production work, and endorsements.

This list highlights career choices and business decisions that significantly increased long-term income. It considers things like owning franchises, producing successful shows and films, projects following the hit show ‘Friends’, and revenue from books, brand partnerships, and touring.

Matt LeBlanc

Matt LeBlanc successfully transitioned from sitcom star to a versatile performer. He became known for hosting the BBC and CBS show ‘Top Gear’ and later starred in the multi-season series ‘Man with a Plan’. Before that, he gained critical acclaim and also worked as a producer on ‘Episodes’, adding another income stream to his acting work. He initially expanded his fanbase with the ‘Friends’ spin-off ‘Joey’, which ran for two seasons.

He supplemented his on-screen work with appearances and endorsements in various cities, and also worked behind the scenes on projects that continue to generate income. He still earns consistent money from reruns of ‘Friends,’ and continues to receive payments from ‘Episodes’ and other network shows, providing financial stability.

David Schwimmer

David Schwimmer expanded his career early on by working in theater and directing, even co-founding the Lookingglass Theatre Company in Chicago. He became well-known for voicing Melman in the ‘Madagascar’ movies and later gained attention for playing Robert Kardashian in ‘The People v. O. J. Simpson’. Beyond acting, he’s also directed both films and TV episodes, which provides ongoing income from royalties and fees.

I’ve always been impressed by how consistently he’s worked on both American and British TV, and how he often combines acting with producing. It’s amazing how he’s built so many different income streams – the continued payments from ‘Friends’ are huge, of course, but he also earns from animation projects, directing, and work in theatre and film. He’s really diversified his career, and it’s clearly paying off!

Matthew Perry

After finding fame on ‘Friends,’ Matthew Perry continued acting in TV shows like ‘Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,’ ‘Go On,’ and ‘The Odd Couple.’ He also became a successful author with his memoir, ‘Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,’ which added to his income from acting. Plus, his earlier movies like ‘Fools Rush In’ and various guest spots meant he continued to earn money from those projects over time.

Beyond his acting salary, he earned money by also working as a producer and writer on various projects. He continues to receive payments from ‘Friends’ through reruns on TV and streaming services, and he also earns royalties from his books and payments for his work as a producer.

Lisa Kudrow

After ‘Friends’, Lisa Kudrow continued to thrive in the entertainment industry. She starred in and helped produce shows like ‘The Comeback’ and ‘Web Therapy’. She also brought the show ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ to American audiences as a producer, leading to a successful and long-running series with international reach that continues to generate income. Additionally, her work in films and guest appearances on other TV shows provided a consistent stream of income.

She expanded her business beyond acting by creating a production company that developed shows for cable and streaming services. This, combined with ongoing payments from ‘Friends,’ income from producing other TV shows, and sales of those shows internationally, gives her a stable and varied income.

Courteney Cox

Courteney Cox starred in and helped produce ‘Cougar Town’ for six seasons, earning income from both her on-screen role and her work behind the scenes. She’s also consistently appeared in the ‘Scream’ movies, remaining part of a successful film series for many years. Alongside David Arquette, she co-founded Coquette Productions, which creates television shows and provides additional income through production fees and profits.

Jennifer Aniston has branched out into the business world with Homecourt, a brand selling home fragrances and cleaning supplies. Combined with income from ‘Friends’ reruns, her other entertainment work, and her various brand partnerships, she now has a diverse mix of earnings from both entertainment and business ventures.

Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston has successfully balanced a prominent film career with her work on the acclaimed TV series ‘The Morning Show,’ where she also serves as an executive producer. Beyond acting, she has established long-term partnerships with beauty and aviation brands and recently launched her own haircare company, LolaVie, which provides an additional income stream. She continues to earn royalties from her popular and successful films.

She’s worked as a producer on both movies and TV shows through her own production companies, earning development fees and a share of the profits. In addition to ongoing income from ‘Friends,’ she earns money from producing ‘The Morning Show’ and from deals with brands and merchandise, resulting in a very diverse income stream compared to her fellow cast members.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments – who do you think created the most successful business strategy after the show ‘Friends’ ended?

2025-09-24 23:15