While “Friends” continues to make us laugh and feel nostalgic, some of the stars who graced our screens are sadly no longer with us. These performers added special moments to the show that viewers still treasure, whether they were one-time guests or frequent contributors. Let’s take a moment to remember these nine talented individuals who have left us but remain forever in our hearts, reminding us of the joy and laughter they shared through their characters.
Matthew Perry
The star who essayed the role of ‘Joey’ in FRIENDS shocked a whole legion of fans when he passed away on October 28, 2023. Perry, who was found floating face down in his bathtub, died of a ketamine overdose, according to officials. His staff member Kenneth Iwamasa has been charged with administering an excessive dosage of the drug which caused ‘serious bodily harm’ to him.
Beverly Garland
The next on the list is the late Beverly Garland, who played the role of Monica’s aunt Iris, who taught the three girls (Rachel, Monica, and Phoebe) to play poker in the show. She had made her debut on the radio and was also a student of dramatics.
Audra Lindley
She had appeared on the show as Phoebe’s grandma Frances. Mainly known for her role as a landlady on the show Three’s Company, she acted in a number of TV shows and movies. Her famous movies include One Foot in Heaven, The Male Animal, taking Off, and The Heartbreak Kid.
Gretchen Wyler
She played a widow who had refused to pay Monica and Phoebe for their catering services at her husband’s funeral. She did many movies, was a popular television and Broadway actress, a dancer, and also an animal rights activist. Remington Steele and Who’s the Boss are among the most popular television shows she has acted in.
Taylor Negron
Remember Monica’s boss, Alessandro? The man who played him, AKA Taylor Negron, passed away on January 10, 2015. He was a popular comic actor in Hollywood and acted in a huge number of movies such as ‘Freedom’ and ‘Young Doctors in Love’.
Sandra Gould
She acted in one of the episodes which featured her as an old lady who did not want to buy cookies from Ross. Her prominent role on television was as a character known as Gladys Kravitz on the show Bewitched. She was mostly a small-time actress who appeared in uncredited small roles in a number of movies.
Ralph Manza
He was a very popular character actor on American television, having acted in shows such as Highway Patrol, Perry Mason, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Night Patrol, The Golden Girls, Gunsmoke, and The Twilight Zone. On FRIENDS, he played the role of Ross’ elderly neighbor. He passed away in the year 2000.
Cyndi Martino
She was mainly known for her role on the police procedural show Criminal Minds. Her other famous roles were in the shows Cold Case Files and A Day Without a Mexican. In the show, she played the role of Henrietta, who competed with Joey on Pyramid.
Fritzi Burr
She had the distinction of having played two roles in two different episodes of the same show. In the Barry Weds Mindy episode, she played Mrs. Weinberg. And later, in The Stoned Guy, she played Mrs. Tedlock. Fritzi Burr gained fame for her role as Miss Collins on the sitcom ‘What’s Happening!’ Her famous films were 3 Ninjas and How Do I Love Thee?
