Courteney Cox Arquette
Jennifer Aniston
Lisa Kudrow
Matthew Perry
Matt Le Blanc
David Schwimmer

COURTENEY COX ARQUETTE

Courteney Cox Arquette returns to television’s top-rated comedy “Friends” for the eighth season as the sensitive and meticulous Monica Geller, who recently married longtime “Friend” Chandler Bing (series star Matthew Perry).

Cox Arquette’s talent for both dramatic and comedic acting has made her a favorite of fans and critics alike. She most recently co-starred opposite Kevin Costner and Kurt Russell in the film “3000 miles to Graceland,” and can be seen as television reporter Gale Weathers in Wes Craven’s “Scream” trilogy, opposite Neve Campbell and Cox Arquette’s husband, David Arquette.

Cox Arquette’s other film credits include “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” (opposite Jim Carrey), “Commandments,” “Blue Desert,” “Cocoon: The Return,” “Shaking the Tree,” “Mr. Destiny” and “The Rules of the Game.” She can next be seen in “Alien Love Triangle,” opposite Kenneth Branagh (and directed by Danny Boyle).

Before “Friends,” Cox Arquette’s most memorable television roles included a recurring turn as Lauren, Alex P. Keaton’s (Michael J. Fox) girlfriend on “Family Ties,” and as a teenager, playing a starstruck fan hauled on stage by Bruce Springsteen in his “Dancing in the Dark” video. Her other television credits include “The Trouble with Larry,” as well as guest-starring parts on “Murder, She Wrote,” “Seinfeld,” “Dream On,” “Hands That See” and “The Larry Sanders Show.”

Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Cox Arquette moved to New York City after her graduation from high school and was subsequently signed by the Ford modeling agency. Soon, she was appearing in magazines, television commercials and music videos. In 1995, as a cast member of “Friends,” Cox Arquette was People magazine’s 1995 cover girl for the “50 Most Beautiful People” issue.

In her spare time, Cox Arquette, who wanted to be an architect while growing up, enjoys remodeling and decorating homes. She and Arquette currently live in Los Angeles.

Personal Quote :
"Honesty is the key to a relationship. If you can fake that, you're in."

JENNIFER ANISTON

Two-time Emmy Award nominee Jennifer Aniston re-connected with her Greek roots by spending a year of her childhood living in Greece -- and no doubt the influence of noted Greek-American actor Telly Savalas as her godfather further augmented her cultural appreciation. Ultimately, however, she was raised in New York City when her father, actor John Aniston (NBC’s "Days of our Lives”), landed a featured role on the daytime drama “Love of Life.”

Aniston had her first taste of acting at age 11 when she joined the Rudolf Steiner School’s drama club. Her experience there also helped her develop a passion for art. When she was 11, one of her paintings was selected to be displayed in an exhibit at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Aniston began her professional training as a drama student at New York’s High School of the Performing Arts. After her graduation in 1987, she won roles in such off-Broadway productions as “For Dear Life” at New York’s Public Theatre and “Dancing on Checker’s Grave.” In 1989 she landed her first television role as a series regular on “Molloy.” Her other television credits include regular roles on “The Edge” and “Ferris Bueller,” a recurring part on “Herman’s Head” and guest-starring roles on such series as “The Larry Sanders Show,” “Partners,” “Burke’s Law” and “Quantum Leap.”

In addition, Aniston has starred in a number of feature films, including “The Object of My Affection,” “Picture Perfect,” “She’s the One,” “‘Til There Was You” and “Office Space.” She also starred with Quentin Tarantino in an interactive tutorial CD-ROM directed by Steven Spielberg, titled “Movie Maker.” This fall Aniston appeared opposite Mark Wahlberg in “Rock Star.” She recently completed filming “The Good Girl,” an independent film to be released next year.

The last two years, Aniston has been nominated for an Emmy Award, as Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, for her portrayal of Rachel Green on “Friends.” A two-time nominee for the People’s Choice Award as Favorite Female in a Comedy Series, she won the award in 2001.

Currently she resides in Los Angeles with her husband, actor Brad Pitt. Aniston enjoys painting in her spare time, as well as hiking, camping and virtually anything that brings her closer to nature.

Personal Quote :
"It's impossible to satisfy everyone, and I suggest we all stop trying."

LISA KUDROW

Last July, Lisa Kudrow received her fifth Emmy Award nomination as Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Phoebe, the spacey but lovable folk singer and massage therapist (she took home the statuette in 1998). She has also received a Screen Actors Guild Award (and two additional nominations) for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series, an American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Female Performer in a Television Series and a Golden Globe Award nomination for her performance on “Friends.”

In addition to her success on television, Kudrow has received rave reviews for her feature-film roles. She won the Best Supporting Actress Award from the New York Film Critics and an Independent Spirit Award nomination and a Chicago Film Critics Award nomination for her portrayal of “Lucia” in the Don Roos-directed film “The Opposite of Sex.” She also starred opposite Billy Crystal and Robert DeNiro in the film “Analyze This,” for which she won a Blockbuster Award.

Earlier this year, she completed filming “Marci X,” alongside Damon Wayans, set to be released in 2002. Kudrow also starred in the film “Hanging Up” opposite Meg Ryan and Diane Keaton, and appeared opposite John Travolta in “Lucky Numbers,” a comedy from Nora Ephron.

In 1997, she starred in the critically acclaimed hit comedy “Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion” with Mira Sorvino, and co-starred in Albert Brooks’ comedy “Mother.” She also starred in “Clockwatchers” opposite Toni Collette and Parker Posey.

Kudrow has always been passionate about acting, but never thought of it as a career until after college. While growing up, she performed and reenacted many of her favorite movie scenes for family and friends.

Kudrow graduated from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., with a bachelor of science degree in biology. She returned to Los Angeles intending to pursue a career in research, but her passion to act and perform resurfaced when her brother’s good friend, actor/comedian Jon Lovitz, inspired her to pursue her dream. She began studying with improvisational instructor Cynthia Szigeti and acting teacher Ian Tucker. In 1989, Kudrow was accepted as a member of the famed Los Angeles improv group, the Groundlings.

Kudrow has the distinction of being in two outstanding television series simultaneously. Along with her role on “Friends,” she portrayed the ditzy waitress Ursula on the NBC comedy “Mad About You.” The two characters are twin sisters, which provided opportunities for her to go back and forth between what at the time were two of the most popular series on television.

A native of California, she currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband and son.

Person Quote :
"Since I had the baby I can't tolerate anything violent or sad, I saw the Matrix and I had my eyes closed through a lot of it, though I didn't need to. I would peek, and then think, oh OK, I can see that."

MATTHEW PERRY

Born in Williamstown, Massachusetts, Matthew Perry was raised in Ottawa, Ontario, where he became a top-ranked junior tennis player in Canada. However, after moving to Los Angeles at the age of 15 to live with his father (actor John Bennett Perry), he became more interested in acting. In addition to performing in several high school stage productions, he remained an avid tennis player. Perry ranked 17th nationally in the junior singles category and third in the doubles category.

Upon graduating from high school, Perry intended to enroll at the University of Southern California. However, when he was offered a leading role on the television series “Boys Will Be Boys,” he seized the opportunity to begin his acting career.

Perry can next be seen starring opposite Elizabeth Hurley in the upcoming comedy “Servicing Sarah.” He recently appeared in the hit comedy film “The Whole Nine Yards,” as the neighbor of a hit man played by Bruce Willis. Perry’s other feature film credits include “Fools Rush In,” “A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon,” “She’s Out of Control” and “Parallel Lives.” He also co-starred with Chris Farley in the buddy comedy “Almost Heroes” and in the romantic comedy “Three to Tango,” opposite Neve Campbell.

Perry currently resides in Los Angeles. He enjoys playing ice hockey and softball in his spare time.

Personal Quote :
"I love the idea of "the one" but I actually believe that there isn't a Miss Right. There are 12,000 Miss Rights out there and it's all timing."

MATT LE BLANC

Entertainment Weekly once lauded Matt LeBlanc as “a rarity – a hunk with a gift for deadpan comedy,” for his role as one of America’s favorite “Friends.” However, LeBlanc might never have detoured to acting if his mother, fearing for his safety, had not encouraged him to pursue something other than professional motorcycle racing.

After receiving his first motorcycle at age 8, LeBlanc participated in various amateur races and later, even trained for a career in carpentry before ultimately deciding to become an actor.

After graduating from high school, LeBlanc set his sights on living in New York City. By 1987, he had obtained parts in national television commercials for such high-profile products as Levi’s 501 jeans, Coca-Cola and Doritos. He also appeared in a Heinz ketchup spot that won the prestigious Gold Lion Award at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival.

In 1988, LeBlanc began formal acting training. Within a year, he landed a starring role on the television series “TV 101” and relocated to Los Angeles. Since then, his television credits include starring roles on “Top of the Heap” and “Vinnie & Bobby” and in the movie “Anything to Survive” (opposite Robert Conrad). He also guest-starred on “Class of ’96” and “Married...with Children.”

LeBlanc most recently appeared on the big screen in the 2000 blockbuster “Charlie’s Angels,” an update of the 1970s television series opposite Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu. His other feature-film credits include starring roles in “Lost in Space” and “Ed.” LeBlanc can be seen alongside Eddie Izzard in the upcoming war comedy “All the Queen’s Men.”

LeBlanc was recently honored for his contribution to the world of entertainment by the National Italian-American Foundation in Washington, D.C.

In addition to acting, LeBlanc enjoys working on his own cars and motorcycles -- which include a Pantera race car -- and playing with his dogs. He currently lives in Los Angeles, and is engaged to model Melissa McKnight.

Personal Quote :
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

DAVID SCHWIMMER

In the debut season (1994-95) of “Friends,” David Schwimmer’s performance as Ross, a sensitive, hopeless romantic, earned him an Emmy Award nomination as Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Receiving both popular and critical acclaim for his work, Schwimmer has displayed his versatility on stage, in film and television in a wide variety of roles.

Born in New York and raised in Los Angeles, Schwimmer was encouraged by a high school instructor to atttend a summer program in acting at Northwestern University. Inspired by that experience, he returned to Northwestern where he received a bachelor’s degree in speech/theater. In 1988, along with seven other Northwestern graduates, he co-founded Chicago’s Lookingglass Theatre Company -- an ensemble of actors, writers, directors and designers now 20-members strong, dedicated to creating vibrant new works for the American stage.

Schwimmer’s stage acting credits with Lookingglass include Dostoyevsky’s “The Idiot,” as well as “The Master and Margarita,” “Arabian Nights,” “In the Eye of the Beholder,” “West,” “Of One Blood” and “The Odyssey.” In addition, he starred in the premiers of Roger Kumble’s “D Girl” in Los Angeles and Warren Leight’s “Glimmer Brothers” in Williamstown.

Schwimmer’s stage directing credits include his adaptation of “The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair, which received six Joseph Jefferson Awards, “The Serpent” and “Alice in Wonderland,” which toured to the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland. He also directed the feature film “Since You’ve Been Gone” for Miramax, and recently began directing episodes of “Friends.”

Schwimmer recently completed work for Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg in “Band of Brothers,” a miniseries this fall based on World War II historian Stephen Ambrose’s book about an Army rifle company that parachuted into France on D-Day. He will also appear in “Hotel,” a dark comedy from Mike Figgis and “Uprising,” the NBC miniseries about the Jewish resistance in the Warsaw Ghetto.

His feature credits include “It’s the Rage,” with Gary Sinise, Giovanni Ribisi and Joan Allen, “Picking Up the Pieces,” “Six Days, Seven Nights,” “Apt Pupil,” “Kissing a Fool,” “The Pallbearer,” “Crossing the Bridge” and the critically acclaimed HBO film “Breast Men.” Television credits include roles on such series as “Monty” with Henry Winkler, “NYPD Blue,” “The Wonder Years” and “L.A. Law.”

Schwimmer is on the board of directors of the Rape Foundation for the Rape Treatment Center of Santa Monica, plays various sports and enjoys a friendly game of poker. He has residences in Los Angeles and Chicago.

Personal Quote :
"It's really important to me not to be known as Ross when I'm 60."