The popular American sitcom Friends featured a number of guest stars over the course of its ten-year run, including some who have since become forgotten.
This article takes a look at some of these forgotten stars and what they are up to now.
Gunther (James Michael Tyler)
Gunther was the beloved manager of Central Perk, the coffee shop where the Friends characters frequently hung out. Tyler died in 2021 at the age of 59 after a battle with cancer.
Paul Stevens (Bruce Willis)
Willis made a cameo appearance on Friends as Paul Stevens, the intimidating father of Rachel’s girlfriend Elizabeth.
Willis is now best known for his roles in the Die Hard franchise, Pulp Fiction, and The Sixth Sense. However, he has recently announced that he is stepping away from acting due to a diagnosis of aphasia.
Janice Hitman Goralink (Maggie Wheeler)
Wheeler played Janice, Chandler’s on-again, off-again girlfriend who was known for her nasally laugh and catchphrase, “Oh. My. God.” Wheeler has continued to act after Friends, appearing in shows such as Everybody Loves Raymond, The Parent Trap, and The Addams Family.
Will Colbert (Brad Pitt)
Pitt made a cameo appearance on Friends while he was still married to Jennifer Aniston, who played Rachel Green. Pitt played Will Colbert, an old friend of Monica and Ross who was once bullied by Rachel. Pitt has since become one of the most successful actors in Hollywood, with roles in films such as Fight Club, Ocean’s Eleven, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Jill Green (Reese Witherspoon)
Witherspoon played Rachel’s spoiled younger sister Jill. Witherspoon has since become a major Hollywood star, with roles in films such as Legally Blonde, Walk the Line, and Big Little Lies. She is also the co-founder of the production company Hello Sunshine.
Forgotten Friends stars: A look back at their careers and what they’re doing now
Gunther (James Michael Tyler)
Gunther was the beloved manager of Central Perk, the coffee shop where the Friends characters frequently hung out. He was known for his dry wit and sarcastic one-liners. Tyler was a regular on the show for all ten seasons, and he appeared in over 150 episodes.
After Friends ended, Tyler continued to act in small roles on TV shows such as Sabrina, the Teenage Witch and Just Shoot Me. He also worked as a producer on the Friends reunion special that aired in 2021.
Tyler died in 2021 at the age of 59 after a battle with cancer. He is remembered by fans for his warm personality and his iconic role as Gunther.
Paul Stevens (Bruce Willis)
Bruce Willis made a cameo appearance on Friends in Season 6 as Paul Stevens, the intimidating father of Rachel’s girlfriend Elizabeth. Willis is a two-time Golden Globe winner and an Academy Award nominee. He is best known for his roles in the Die Hard franchise, Pulp Fiction, and The Sixth Sense.
In 2022, Willis announced that he is stepping away from acting due to a diagnosis of aphasia, a language disorder that can cause difficulty speaking, reading, and writing. Willis’s family said in a statement that they are “thankful for the incredible outpouring of love and support” they have received since his diagnosis.
Janice Hitman Goralink (Maggie Wheeler)
Maggie Wheeler played Janice, Chandler’s on-again, off-again girlfriend who was known for her nasally laugh and catchphrase, “Oh. My. God.” Janice was a recurring character on Friends, appearing in 19 episodes over the course of the show’s ten seasons.
After Friends ended, Wheeler continued to act in small roles on TV shows such as Everybody Loves Raymond, How I Met Your Mother, and Shameless. She also appeared in the films The Parent Trap and Enchanted.
Wheeler is still best known for her role as Janice, and she remains a fan favorite. She is often praised for her comedic timing and her ability to bring the character to life.
Will Colbert (Brad Pitt)
Brad Pitt made a cameo appearance on Friends in Season 8 as Will Colbert, an old friend of Monica and Ross who was once bullied by Rachel. Pitt is one of the most successful actors in Hollywood, with roles in films such as Fight Club, Ocean’s Eleven, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Pitt was married
