How much does the 'Friends' cast earn from residuals? Lisa Kudrow reveals 8-figure amount

The Emmy-winning actress shared the figures in a new interview reflecting on the long-running NBC series

Lisa Kudrow has revealed that the cast of Friends continues to earn around $20 million annually in residuals more than two decades after the sitcom conclude.

The Emmy-winning actress shared the figures in an interview with The Times of London, reflecting on the long-running NBC series which aired from 1994 to 2004.

Kudrow, who portrayed Phoebe Buffay, revisited the show following the death of co-star Matthew Perry in 2023 at the age of 54.

“After Matthew died, I watched the show again,” Kudrow said. “Before, I only saw what I did wrong or could have done better. But for the first time, I truly appreciated just how great it was.”

She added, “Because there was a genius at work. And whatever any of us do in the future, we will never experience something like that again.”

Kudrow said she “felt [she] did OK” in her role, while praising her co-stars’ performances. She described Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox as “amazing”, highlighted David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc’s comedic work, and said Perry “was just beyond [them] all”.

Despite the show’s enduring popularity, Kudrow acknowledged challenges behind the scenes. She said tensions sometimes arose with writers, particularly during live recordings in front of studio audiences.

“Don’t forget we were recording in front of a live audience of 400, and if you messed up one of these writers’ lines or it didn’t get the perfect response, they could be like, ‘Can’t the bitch f**king read? She’s not even trying. She f**ked up my line,’” she said.

Kudrow also addressed reports of inappropriate discussions among writers, noting, “And we know that back in the room, the guys would be up late discussing their sexual fantasies about Jennifer and Courteney.”

She maintained a measured view of the experience, adding, “Oh, it could be brutal, but these guys — and it was mostly men in there — were sitting up until 3am trying to write the show.”

Kudrow concluded that she would not criticise the series, stating it remains “still incredible work” more than 20 years after its finale.