Lisa Kudrow Shares Surprising Amount the ‘Friends’ Cast Still Earns in Royalties 20 Years After the Show Ended

Lisa Kudrow has revealed that the cast of “Friends” continues to receive major yearly payments from the long-running sitcom, even decades after it stopped airing.

In an interview with the Times of London, published last Thursday, Kudrow said she and her co-stars still make about $20 million every year from residuals linked to the show’s ongoing global success.

Kudrow, best known for playing Phoebe Buffay across all 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004, said she recently revisited the series years after it ended. She explained that the experience came after the death of co-star Matthew Perry in 2023, who passed away at 54.

She said that watching the show again changed how she saw it. Instead of focusing on her own performance, she felt able to step back and see the show as a whole. Kudrow described it as something rare, created at a level she believes will not be repeated.

She also spoke warmly about her fellow cast members, including Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, and Matt LeBlanc. Kudrow praised their work on the show and said Perry stood out in a way she felt was unmatched.

At the same time, Kudrow reflected on the environment during filming. She said the show was recorded in front of a live audience, which added pressure during production. She also mentioned that tensions sometimes happened between actors and writers, especially during long recording sessions.

Kudrow said that despite any difficult moments, she does not hold negative feelings about the experience. She described “Friends” as a major achievement in television and said she still views it as high-quality work even today.

What do you think about actors still earning millions from a show that ended over 20 years ago? Share your thoughts in the comments.