Courteney Cox, the talented actress who portrayed Monica Geller, recently revealed an astonishing truth about her time on the show.
While she cherishes the incredible work she and her co-stars contributed to making Friends a cult favorite, Cox admits to having a hazy memory of filming much of it.
Imagine the sheer magnitude of Friends, one of television's most popular series! With its 10-year run and 235 episodes, it's only natural for some moments to elude even the greatest stars of the show.
During a candid "Sunday Sitdown" interview with "Today's" Willie Geist, the 57-year-old actress confessed to experiencing gaps in her recollection during her appearance on "Friends: The Reunion" in May 2021. Surprisingly, Cox humorously lamented, "I should've watched all 10 seasons because when I did the reunion and was asked questions, I was like, 'I don't remember being there.' Yeah. I don't remember filming so many episodes."
Before you jump to conclusions, it's important to note that her faded memories aren't a result of any negative sentiments towards her fellow cast members or excessive time spent on set. Cox's recollection has dimmed due to her memory not being as sharp as it once was.
Expressing a touch of regret, she remarked, "I'm kinda bummed that we didn't spend more time taking pictures because I don't have a lot to look back at." Yet, when she stumbles upon Friends episodes on TV, her reaction is priceless: "I see it on TV sometimes, and I stop and go, 'Oh, my God, I don't remember this at all. But it's so funny.'"
Why does Cox struggle to recall these precious moments? Surprisingly, her memory has been poor since childhood. While she has no traumatic memories, she can count her total memories on just three fingers. It's a mystery even to her.
However, amidst the haze, there remains one indelible memory that Cox has cherished throughout the years. Director James "Jim" Burrows treated the ensemble cast of Friends to an unforgettable Las Vegas vacation shortly before the show's premiere in 1994. Cox nostalgically recalled, "He gave us all $500. And he said, 'I want you to take care, like, really take notice of this moment because it will be the last time that all six of you together can walk through a casino.' And we were like, 'Really?' And it was true. We never could do that again."
The impact of Friends reaches far beyond mere television entertainment. Cox acknowledges that people feel a deep connection to the cast. She remarked, "I mean, I don't wanna sound like, 'Look at us.' We're not, you know, the Beatles. But people feel like they know you. If we were all to walk down the street, six of us, it would be, I think it would be really interesting to people."
Last year's much-anticipated reunion of the main Friends cast—Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer, and Cox herself—stirred bittersweet emotions for many. Aniston even shared how overwhelming it was, leaving the reunion several times due to the intense feelings it evoked. Cox echoed the sentiment on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, describing the reunion as an unbelievable and emotional experience, a chance for the cast to set foot on Stage 24 once more after an unfathomable period.
As Cox reminisced about her time on the show, her memory problems became evident. With a touch of self-deprecating humor, she admitted, "Oh, God, I have the worst memory. Everything came up that I forgot about."
Courteney Cox's portrayal of Monica Geller catapulted her to critical acclaim and numerous award nominations. Her exceptional performance in Friends, coupled with her directorial contributions to the series, solidified her as a leading actress in Hollywood. From her on-screen romance with Chandler Bing to her unforgettable sibling rivalry with Ross Geller, Cox's iconic role will forever be etched in the hearts of fans worldwide.
Beyond Friends, Cox's versatile career extends to projects like the Scream franchise and the television show Cougar Town. She has excelled not only as an actress but also as a businesswoman, philanthropist, and supporter of various charitable causes.
Even after 17 years since the conclusion of Friends, the impact of Cox's unforgettable portrayal continues to reverberate, ensuring her enduring place in television history.
