It is a weird feeling to realize that the show about people in their twenties is now a show about people entering their sixties. We all have that one "comfort show." For millions, it’s Friends. You turn on Netflix or Max, and there they are—frozen in 1994, drinking massive lattes and worrying about whether they’re "on a break." But time doesn’t actually stop, even for sitcom royalty. If you’re wondering how old is the cast of Friends right now, in 2026, the numbers might actually make you do a double-take.
The math is a bit sobering.
When the pilot aired on September 22, 1994, the cast members were mostly in their mid-to-late twenties. Only Lisa Kudrow and Courteney Cox had actually hit the 30-mark. Today, we aren't just looking at middle-aged actors; we are looking at the elder statesmen and women of Hollywood. Most of them are pushing sixty, or have already sailed past it.
The ages of the Friends cast: A 2026 breakdown
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of the birthdates.
Jennifer Aniston was the "baby" of the group for the longest time. Born on February 11, 1969, Jennifer is currently 56 years old. It’s kind of wild to think about. She’s built an empire on wellness and LolaVie haircare, but to most of us, she’s still Rachel Green trying to figure out how to use a credit card. She has arguably stayed the most "in the mix" of the group, starring in The Morning Show and maintaining a level of fitness that makes 56 look like the new 30.
Then you’ve got Courteney Cox. She was actually the biggest star when the show started, thanks to that Bruce Springsteen music video and Family Ties. Courteney was born June 15, 1964. That puts her at 61 years old. She’s been very open about the pressures of aging in Hollywood, famously discussing her journey with (and eventual removal of) facial fillers. She’s leaning into the "Scream" legacy and her home-care brand, Homecourt, these days.
Lisa Kudrow is the oldest of the surviving cast. Born July 30, 1963, she is 62 years old. Lisa always had a different energy than the others—maybe because she was a bit more settled when the show began. She’s transitioned into brilliant character work and producing, but she’ll always be the woman who gave us "Smelly Cat."
What about the guys?
Matt LeBlanc was born July 25, 1967. Joey Tribbiani is 58. Honestly, Matt has embraced the "Silver Fox" look more than anyone else in the cast. He’s done the Top Gear stint, he did Man with a Plan, and he seems remarkably chill about the whole aging process. He’s the guy who reminds us that it’s okay to slow down.
David Schwimmer is also 59. Born November 2, 1966. David has always been the most private of the bunch, often retreating to the New York theater scene or directing rather than chasing the blockbuster movie star life. He still has that Ross Geller neurosis in his comedic timing, but he’s very much a veteran of the industry now.
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And then, there is the person we can't talk about without a bit of a heavy heart. Matthew Perry.
The Matthew Perry factor and the legacy of Chandler Bing
When people search for how old is the cast of Friends, they are often looking for the ages of the surviving five, but they’re also looking for closure on Matthew.
Matthew Perry passed away on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54. Had he been with us today in 2026, he would have been 56 years old (born August 19, 1969). His passing changed the way we watch the show. It’s harder to laugh at Chandler’s self-deprecating jokes about loneliness when you know the real-life struggles Matthew was documenting in his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.
His death was a massive cultural moment. It wasn't just about losing a celebrity; it was about losing a "friend." It underscored the reality that this group, which felt invincible in their purple apartment, is human. They age. They struggle. They aren't just pixels on a screen.
Why we are so obsessed with their ages
Why do we care?
Why does a search for how old is the cast of Friends trend every single year?
It’s about our own mortality. Honestly.
We use these six people as a yardstick for our own lives. If Rachel Green is 56, and I remember watching her when I was 15, then where does that put me? It’s a collective nostalgia trap. We want them to stay young because it means we’re still young. When we see Courteney Cox posting a workout video or Jennifer Aniston talking about collagen, we’re looking for a roadmap on how to age "right."
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But there’s also the "reunion effect."
The 2021 HBO Max reunion was a turning point. For many fans, that was the first time they saw the cast together, in high definition, without the benefit of 1990s lighting and film grain. It was a shock to the system. People were cruel on Twitter, as they always are, commenting on David’s hair or Matt’s weight. But what that reunion showed was a group of people who have a bond that nobody else on earth can understand. They were the only six people in that specific bubble of 1990s fame.
The "Friends" impact on the industry
The cast famously negotiated together to get $1 million per episode during the final seasons. That wasn't just about greed. It was a business move that changed how TV contracts work. Because they stayed a "unit," they protected each other.
That sense of unity is why the show still makes an estimated $1 billion a year in syndication revenue for Warner Bros. Discovery. The cast members (the actors or their estates) still earn a roughly 2% cut of that. That’s about $20 million a year. Each.
Think about that.
Even at 62, Lisa Kudrow is making more from a show that ended over twenty years ago than most A-list actors make from new movies. This financial security has allowed them to be picky. They don’t have to do "cash grab" projects. They can do what they actually enjoy.
A look at their current projects
- Jennifer Aniston: Still the queen of the streamers. The Morning Show is a juggernaut.
- Courteney Cox: Keeping the Scream franchise alive and running a successful lifestyle brand.
- Lisa Kudrow: Doing guest spots in high-brow comedies and voice acting.
- Matt LeBlanc: Mostly staying out of the spotlight, enjoying a well-earned semi-retirement.
- David Schwimmer: Focusing on prestige dramas and stage work.
What we get wrong about the timeline
A common misconception is that the actors were the same age as their characters.
In the first season, the characters were supposed to be around 24 to 26 years old. In reality, Courteney Cox was 30. She was playing younger than she was. By the time the show ended in 2004, the characters were in their mid-thirties, but the actors were pushing 40.
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This gap has only widened in our minds.
We remember the "Characters" at 28. We see the "Actors" at 60. The "Friends" universe exists in a perpetual state of 1990s New York where rent is cheap, coffee is plentiful, and nobody has a cell phone.
The health and wellness of the cast
You can't talk about the age of the Friends cast without mentioning their focus on longevity. Jennifer Aniston has basically become a spokesperson for "aging well." She’s been vocal about PDRN (salmon sperm) facials—yes, that’s a real thing—and her strict 15-15-15 workout routine.
Courteney Cox has pivoted to a more natural look after admitting she "messed up" her face with too many cosmetic procedures. There’s a lesson there for all of us: the pressure to look 25 forever is a losing battle, even if you have all the money in the world.
The guys have taken a different route. They’ve largely let nature take its course. Matt LeBlanc’s gray hair was a "thing" for a while, but now it’s just his look. It’s refreshing, honestly.
Actionable ways to engage with the Friends legacy
If you're feeling nostalgic after realizing how old is the cast of Friends is today, don't just sit there feeling old. Use that energy to reconnect with the show or the actors' newer work.
- Watch the Reunion (Again): It’s on Max. Watch it specifically to see the behind-the-scenes footage of their chemistry. It’s more interesting than the scripted bits.
- Read Matthew Perry’s Book: If you haven’t read Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, do it. It provides a raw, unfiltered look at what was happening behind the scenes while we were all laughing at the jokes.
- Follow their "Real" Lives: Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox are actually very active on Instagram. They post videos of them hanging out together in real life, which is the ultimate fan service.
- Check out 'The Morning Show': If you want to see Jennifer Aniston’s best acting work since the sitcom ended, this is it. It’s a completely different vibe, and she’s incredible in it.
- Support the Matthew Perry Foundation: If you want to honor the legacy of the cast, looking into addiction recovery resources or the foundation set up in his name is a meaningful step.
The cast of Friends isn't young anymore. Neither are we. But the show remains a cultural touchstone because the themes—friendship, heartbreak, career struggles, and family—don't have an expiration date. Whether they are 25 or 65, they will always be there for us. Even if "there" is just on a 4K screen in our living rooms.