Friends Cast Annual Earnings from Show Reruns

The cast of Friends continues to rake in a significant amount of money from reruns of the beloved show. Surprisingly, Friends was the second most-streamed TV show in the UK last year, right behind The Big Bang Theory. Despite ending in 2004 after 10 seasons and 236 episodes, the show still brings in a whopping $1 billion (£820 million) in syndication revenue for Warner Bros. each year.

Main cast members Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer reportedly receive a percentage of the syndication income. While it’s unclear what the situation is for Matthew Perry following his passing in 2023, the main cast are said to earn two percent of the total income, amounting to a staggering $20 million (£16 million) annually for each actor.

With Netflix picking up the series reruns on its streaming site, there’s potential for the cast to earn even more. It’s heartwarming to know that as millions of people around the world still enjoy watching Friends, the actors are credited with bringing joy to countless households.

Towards the end of the show, the actors were reportedly earning over $1 million (£820,000) per episode. When asked if he felt he was worth that kind of money, Matt LeBlanc, who played Joey, wisely responded that the value of their work is priceless. David Schwimmer, who portrayed Ross, expressed gratitude for the show and described it as “the gift that keeps on giving.” It’s truly remarkable to see the impact Friends has had on viewers worldwide, from language learning to providing comfort in difficult times.