Ah, Friends! For 10 seasons we all tuned in to see the adventures of Monica, Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Phoebe, and Joey. It was a simpler time. A time before DVRs and smart phones. And those six twenty-somethings were our friends. Our very, very, very lucky and wealthy Friends.
The NBC sitcom debuted on September 22, 1994. Remember that episode? The gang is hanging out at Central Perk when Jennifer Aniston's Rachel frantically enters the coffee shop in her wedding gown, having just left her fiancé Barry at the altar. She and Monica were friends in high school and she moves into Monica's apartment and the rest, as they say, is history.
But exactly how much did the cast of Friends make from the iconic show? How much did the cast make in salary from season one, to the finale and even today?
Before They Were Friends
Before becoming household names, the cast of Friends had varied careers. For instance, Courteney Cox was known as the girl Bruce Springsteen pulled on stage during the "Dancing in the Dark" video and as Alex P. Keaton's girlfriend on Family Ties. Meanwhile, Jennifer Aniston was recognized for her role in the 1993 horror film Leprechaun.
Lisa Kudrow, on the other hand, was notably successful as Ursula Buffay on Mad About You. Her character Phoebe Buffay in Friends was crafted to be Ursula's twin, showcasing the clever writing behind the show. Matt LeBlanc gained some fame from his appearances in Bon Jovi music videos and as a recurring character on Married…With Children.
Matthew Perry had been acting in Los Angeles since he was a teenager, while David Schwimmer had multiple guest spots, including a role on NYPD Blue. This diverse background prepared them for their iconic roles in Friends.
First Contracts
During the first season, each cast member earned $22,500 per episode. This totaled to $540,000 for the entire first season, equivalent to about $900,000 today! By the second season, their earnings were increased to $40,000 per episode, bringing their total for that season to $960,000.
As their contracts were about to expire ahead of the third season, the cast decided to negotiate as a group. This was a pioneering move in television history, showcasing their unity and determination to secure better pay.
The outcome was impressive: $75,000 per episode for season three, $85,000 for season four, $100,000 for season five, and $125,000 for season six. These raises reflected the show's immense popularity and the cast's essential role in it.
$1 Million Per Episode
Before filming for season seven began, the cast negotiated another significant pay bump. They secured $750,000 per episode for seasons seven and eight, leading to $18 million earned for each of those seasons.
For the final two seasons, nine and ten, each cast member earned an impressive $1 million per episode. This resulted in $24 million for season nine and $18 million for season ten, making them some of the highest-paid actors in television history.
Total Earnings & Ongoing Royalties
If you total it all up, each cast member of Friends earned around $90 million in base salary from the show alone! But this figure does not even include backend bonuses and ongoing royalties.
As part of their 2000 contract negotiations, the cast successfully demanded backend points, allowing them to earn royalties from the show's syndication. Friends continues to generate over $1 billion per year in syndication royalties and streaming deals, making it a timeless classic.
Currently, it has been reported that each cast member earns between $10 million and $20 million in royalties from the show each year, showcasing the lasting impact of their roles.
Net Worths
The financial success of Friends significantly impacted the cast members' net worths. As of now, here are the estimated net worths of the main six Friends:
- Jennifer Aniston: $300 million
- Courteney Cox: $150 million
- Matthew Perry: $120 million
- David Schwimmer: $100 million
- Lisa Kudrow: $90 million
- Matt LeBlanc: $80 million
Additionally, supporting cast members also saw substantial earnings:
- Maggie Wheeler: $2 million
- James Michael Tyler: $4 million
- Paget Brewster: $9 million
