Although it’s been more than 20 years since the iconic finale of "Friends" aired, Courteney Cox still fondly recalls the moments before filming each episode with her co-stars.
The 61-year-old actress, best known for her role as Monica Geller, recently shared details about the behind-the-scenes camaraderie the cast had during the tapings of the beloved show, which aired in front of a live studio audience.
Speaking at the Inc. 5000 event, Courteney Cox reminisced about the pre-show ritual that would get everyone energized before filming.
Courteney Cox Recalls ‘Friends’ Cast Rituals
“We’d get in a huddle and we would say, 'Alright everybody! Good luck!' And we'd give each other a hug and a high five," Cox recalled, according to PEOPLE.
Despite her usual tendency not to "pump herself up" for public appearances, she explained that the cast would share this bonding moment before stepping in front of the live audience, setting the tone for the episode.
Opening Up About The Live Audience Energy
Cox also described the unique dynamic of filming "Friends" in front of a live audience, noting how the energy of the crowd would sometimes overwhelm the show’s laugh track.
"The live audience loved watching the taping so much, and sometimes producers had to cut the laugh track early so we could continue," she said, adding that the cast knew exactly what would get big laughs from the audience, so they naturally played off it and let the moment unfold.
The experience of filming "Friends" was distinct from the other scripted projects Cox has worked on since, including her role in the "Scream" franchise.
“'Friends' was shot in front of a live audience, and that was a whole different thing,” she explained, reflecting on how things have changed since then. "Now, I do things that are filmed."
Courteney Cox Reflects On Strong Bond With 'Friends' Cast
The "Friends" ensemble, which included Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, and the late Matthew Perry, created an unforgettable chemistry on screen, and Cox noted that their connection extends beyond the show.
The cast has remained close over the years, and Cox shared how their bond is just as strong today.
In 2021, Cox and the "Friends" cast reunited for the "Friends: The Reunion" special, which aired on HBO Max on May 27. LeBlanc told PEOPLE at the time that it felt like "no time had passed" when they all came together again. "We pick up right where we left off," he said, highlighting the strong bond they still share.
Matthew Perry’s tragic passing on October 28, 2023, from acute effects of ketamine was a somber moment for the cast and fans alike, but their friendship continues to be a significant part of their lives.
Honoring Matthew Perry After His Tragic Passing
Two weeks after Perry's death, Cox took to social media to break her silence and pay tribute to her late friend and co-star.
"I am so grateful for every moment I had with you Matty and I miss you every day," she wrote on Instagram at the time. "When you work with someone as closely as I did with Matthew, there are thousands of moments I wish I could share. For now here's one of my favorites."
She shared a clip from "Friends" showing the moment Chandler (Matthew Perry) and Monica (Courteney Cox) got together in a hotel room on Ross's (David Schwimmer) wedding day.
"To give a little backstory, Chandler and Monica were supposed to have a one-night fling in London," the actress explained. "But because of the audience's reaction, it became the beginning of their love story."
"In this scene, before we started rolling, he whispered a funny line for me to say," she recalled. "He often did things like that. He was funny and he was kind."
Monica’s Closet Comes to Life
Cox’s relationship with her "Friends" character, Monica Geller, is still a part of her daily life, as seen in a recent Instagram post.
As The Blast reported, the actress took her 15 million followers on a quirky tour through her Malibu home, specifically through her coat closet. Much like her character Monica’s infamous “secret closet” from "Friends," which was packed with a mix of organized chaos, Cox’s closet also revealed an eclectic mix of items, some more bizarre than others.
“I have masks of myself!” Cox laughed as she showed off a Ghostface mask popcorn bucket and several paper masks featuring her own face, a gift from her dog walker.
Fans of "Friends" will recall the memorable scene from Season 6, "The One with the Secret Closet," where Monica's closet was a hidden space filled with clutter and disarray, a stark contrast to her typically organized and controlling personality.
Cox's closet, while not as chaotic, echoed that same sense of playful, unexpected finds, much like the character she portrayed.
