Friends is an iconic sitcom, the NBC series aired from 1994 to 2004, revolving around the lives of six friends in their 20’s living in New York. Although it finished over 20 years ago, the show still airs globally. Each cast member receives 2% of that figure ($20 million annually).
Cast Salaries & Negotiations
- Season 1 (1994–95): Each actor earned $22 500 per episode.
- Seasons 9–10 (2002–04): Through collective bargaining, the six leads compelled producers to raise their fees to $1 million per episode each. Reportedly, Matthew Perry’s initial holdout forced the studio’s hand- he refused to show up to filming until all six cast members were paid equally.
- Season 10 Total: Including syndication and bonus deals, each cast member pocketed roughly $22 million that final season.
Wealthiest Cast Members:
1. Jennifer Aniston – $320 Million
Arguably the most famous on the list, Jennifer Aniston was paid more than other cast members as her relationship with Ross was a hit in the early seasons.
Since 2019, she’s earned $1.25 million per episode on The Morning Show, and her production company, Echo Films, secures six- and seven-figure first-look deals on new projects.
In 2012, Aniston paid $21 million for a Malibu estate (now worth around $30 million) and she also owns property in Bel Air. Outside of real estate, she’s angel-invested in tech startups, particularly in health-tech.
Jennifer became one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood for comedic roles. Because of this, she took a break from television. Aniston returned in 2019 for The Morning Show on AppleTV+. This helped her net worth reach $320 million.
2. Courteney Cox – $150 Million
After Friends, Cox leveraged her success into film and TV roles, most notably as Gale Weathers in the Scream franchise – where her six-figure paychecks per film added substantially to her earnings.
In 2004, she co-founded Coquette Productions, which generated steady producer-fees from shows like Cougar Town. Cox’s early sitcom income also built her real-estate portfolio. In 2005, she purchased a Pacific Palisades home for $2.4 million and sold it in 2021 for $9 million; she now resides in a $5 million Beverly Hills house.
Beyond her career, she’s a vocal advocate for animal rescue through partnerships with the ASPCA, and Coquette Productions donates a portion of Cougar Town proceeds to local charities. All of these endeavors give her an estimated net worth of $150 million.
3. Lisa Kudrow – $130 Million
Once Friends ended, Kudrow created and starred in Web Therapy (2008–12), earning talent- and producer-fees, and lent her voice to BoJack Horseman (2014–20), securing mid-six-figure contracts per season.
In 2017, she purchased a c, now appraised at $12 million, and she invests in tech startups, focusing on wellness and comedy-tech ventures.
Kudrow’s philanthropic work includes active involvement with The Trevor Project and Stand Up To Cancer, and proceeds from Web Therapy specials often fund mental-health research, showcasing her commitment to using her earnings for broader impact. Kudrow’s wealth is valued at $130 million.
4. Matthew Perry – $120 Million
Before Friends, he had connected with creators on Dream On (1992), which led to his casting as Chandler Bing. Despite his on-screen success, Perry was very open about battling addiction, reportedly spending over $9 million on rehabilitation by 2013.
In real estate, he owned a Pacific Palisades mansion valued at around $15 million and a Hollywood Hills home worth about $7 million. At the time of his passing, he had $1.5 million in liquid assets; the remaining $120 million passed to his estate, as he left no spouse or children.
His philanthropic legacy includes founding Perry House in 2013, a treatment facility for young people struggling with addiction, and regular donations to recovery programs.
5. David Schwimmer – $120 Million
Like his co-stars, he reached $1 million per episode by seasons 9–10 and continues to collect 2% of all syndication and streaming revenues. Once Friends finished, Schwimmer voiced Melman in the Madagascar franchise, commanding over $500,000 per sequel, and executive produced and directed the Emmy-winning The People v. O.J. Simpson, earning six-figure fees.
In 2020, he starred in Netflix’s Intelligence, adding a streaming-series paycheck to his income. His Los Angeles property portfolio is valued at roughly $20 million, and in 2014 he made a $100,000 angel investment in home-goods startup Parachute Home, which grew to over $1 million by 2020.
Schwimmer also dedicates time to philanthropy: he supports the Rape Foundation and the Tony Awards Foundation and creates theatre projects for underprivileged youth through his affiliation with Lookingglass Theatre. Schwimmer’s net worth is around $120 million.
6. Matt LeBlanc – $85 Million
LeBlanc started his career appearing in commercials and music videos. LeBlanc only had $11 in his bank account before landing the role. Like other cast members on the show, his life turned around after Friends became a worldwide hit.
After Friends, he starred in Joey (2004–06) at $600,000 per episode, co-hosted BBC’s Top Gear (2016–19) for $800,000 per season, and led Man with a Plan (2016–20) at $500,000 per episode. Although Matt now focuses on small-screen appearances, he still has a $85 million fortune.
LeBlanc also co-owns RPM Motorcars, a luxury car dealership that generates steady six-figure profits. He purchased a Los Feliz home for $2.2 million in 2000 and leases some of his car collection through his production company to maximize tax deductions. On the philanthropic side, he has contributed to Stand Up To Cancer telethons and auctioned cars via RPM Motorcars to benefit children’s hospitals.
Inflation-Adjusted Perspective
- 1994’s $22 500 Salary: Equivalent to $46 000 in 2025 dollars – respectable, but not enough to live luxuriously in New York
- 2004’s $1 million Salary: Equivalent to $1.6 million today, making those final seasons among the highest-paid TV positions ever.
