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

The six leads of ‘Friends’ negotiated together and built careers that continued well beyond the coffee shop. Their salaries rose across the run, and the group secured lucrative backend participation that still generates residual income from global reruns and streaming. Each star then layered on paydays from new series, films, producing roles, and brand work.

This countdown looks at business moves, major roles, and entrepreneurial ventures that boosted long term earnings. It focuses on concrete factors like franchise work, executive producer credits, successful series after ‘Friends’, and income streams from books, brands, and touring projects.

Matt LeBlanc

Matt LeBlanc added to his sitcom success with the BBC and CBS partnership on ‘Top Gear’ and a multiseason network return with ‘Man with a Plan’. He earned critical recognition and multiple seasons on ‘Episodes’, where he also held a producer role that created an additional revenue line beyond acting. Earlier, the ‘Joey’ spin off extended his connection to the ‘Friends’ audience across two seasons.

He complemented screen work with appearances and endorsements in several markets and invested time in behind the scenes roles that provide continuing payments. Syndication from ‘Friends’ remains a steady source of income, and ongoing participation from ‘Episodes’ and network residuals supports long term earnings.

David Schwimmer

David Schwimmer diversified early with stage and directing work as a cofounder of Lookingglass Theatre Company in Chicago. He voiced Melman in the ‘Madagascar’ films and returned to high profile television as Robert Kardashian in ‘The People v. O. J. Simpson’. He also directed features and television episodes, which adds fees and residuals that continue after initial release.

He kept a consistent presence on television in the United States and the United Kingdom and took roles that combine acting with producing. Continued residuals from ‘Friends’ pair with animation franchise payouts and directing work, creating multiple income sources across film, television, and theatre.

Matthew Perry

Matthew Perry extended his sitcom career with leading roles in ‘Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip’, ‘Go On’, and ‘The Odd Couple’. He wrote a bestselling memoir titled ‘Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing’, adding publishing income to screen earnings. Earlier film roles such as ‘Fools Rush In’ and later guest appearances helped maintain steady residuals across formats.

He held producing and writing credits on several projects, which added participation beyond acting fees. His long run on ‘Friends’ continues to generate residuals from syndication and streaming, and book royalties and producer payments created additional revenue during and after his television projects.

Lisa Kudrow

Lisa Kudrow built a strong post ‘Friends’ portfolio with ‘The Comeback’ and ‘Web Therapy’, where she also served as an executive producer. She helped bring ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ to American television as a producer, creating a long running factual series with international versions that extend format and licensing income. Film roles and guest spots across television added steady residuals to her earnings base.

Her production company developed multiple projects across cable and streaming, which diversified income beyond on screen work. Continued residuals from ‘Friends’ combine with producer fees and format sales from unscripted television, supporting a broad and durable set of revenue streams.

Courteney Cox

Courteney Cox headlined ‘Cougar Town’ for six seasons and served as an executive producer, which added backend income to her lead salary. She continued to appear in the ‘Scream’ film franchise, keeping a connection to a major box office series across multiple decades. She also built Coquette Productions with David Arquette, producing television projects that generate fees and participation.

She expanded into lifestyle entrepreneurship with Homecourt, a home fragrance and cleaning brand that adds a consumer products line to her portfolio. Residuals from ‘Friends’ pair with ongoing franchise work, producer payments, and brand ventures, creating a mix of entertainment and business income.

Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston combined a leading film career with a return to prestige television as star and executive producer of ‘The Morning Show’. She has long standing brand partnerships in beauty and aviation and launched the haircare company LolaVie, which adds direct to consumer revenue to her entertainment income. Her film catalog includes major studio comedies and ensemble hits that continue to pay residuals.

She has held producer roles through her production banners on features and series, which provide development fees and backend participation. Residuals from ‘Friends’ are supplemented by producer earnings on ‘The Morning Show’ and returns from brand partnerships and consumer products, creating one of the most diversified portfolios among the cast.

Share your take in the comments and tell us who you think built the savviest post ‘Friends’ business playbook.