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Friends Cast Earns $20 Million Yearly from Residuals

4/30/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Lisa Kudrow said the Friends cast still receives $20 million a year in residuals.
The six cast members earned $22,500 per episode when Friends premiered in 1994.
The cast began negotiating together in 1996, which raised their salaries each season.
By 2002 their pay rose to $1 million per episode, or $22 million for a 22-episode season.
Matt LeBlanc told Details in 2011 that he had made his “f--k--you money” in Hollywood.

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Story summary

Lisa Kudrow said the Friends cast still receives $20 million a year in residuals.
The six cast members earned $22,500 per episode when Friends premiered in 1994.
The cast began negotiating together in 1996, which raised their salaries each season.
By 2002 their pay rose to $1 million per episode, or $22 million for a 22-episode season.
Matt LeBlanc told Details in 2011 that he had made his “f--k--you money” in Hollywood.