Christina Applegate Named Best 'Friends' Guest Star by Variety
Christina Applegate Named Best 'Friends' Guest Star by Variety
Jacqueline Burt CoteTue, February 24, 2026 at 3:43 AM UTC
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As any die-hard Friends fan can tell you, the iconic sitcom had some of the most memorable guest stars of any TV series in history. Viewers never knew when one of their favorite stars might pop up in an episode, but plenty of major names made appearances on the show throughout its 10-season run.
That's why Variety made a list ranking the comedy's 30 best guest stars, and the winners don't disappoint. Some of the picks weren't even huge stars yet when they were on the series, or at least, they weren't as massively famous as they would go on to become: When Jennifer Coolidge (ranked #30) played Monica and Phoebe's hilariously pretentious former friend Amanda she was known for movies like American Pie, A Mighty Wind, and Legally Blonde — but it was long before she would win two Emmys for her role on The White Lotus. Hugh Laurie (#28) was well-known to British audiences when he played Rachel's exasperated seatmate on her flight to London, but he hadn't yet become massively popular as the title character in House.
Jennifer Aniston, Hugh LauriePhoto by NBC on Getty Images (Photo by NBC on Getty Images)
The top 10 included a mix of stars who made single episode appearances and those who had recurring roles, starting with Gary Oldman at #10 as Joey's inebriated, spit-happy World War II movie co-star Richard Crosby. Ninth place went to a joint appearance by Robin Williams and Billy Crystal, who played a pair of squabbling Central Perk customers, followed by Reese Witherspoon as Rachel's delightfully spoiled and scheming little sister Jill at #8.
Coming in at #7 was Bruce Willis in his Emmy-winning turn as Paul, the disapproving father of Ross' girlfriend (and Rachel's overly emotional love interest), while Hank Azaria took the #6 spot for his role as Phoebe's sweet, nerdy chemist boyfriend David. Kicking off the top five wasJulia Roberts, who made a cameo as Susie (a makeup artist who went to elementary school with Chandler and never stopped hating him), followed by Brad Pitt as Will, who went to high school with Rachel and never stopped hating her, either. (Pitt was married to Jennifer Aniston at the time of his appearance.)
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In third place was Tom Selleck as Monica's older, nearly impossible-to-get-over boyfriend Dr. Richard Burke, while second place went to Paul Rudd as Phoebe's extremely lovable, piano-playing boyfriend-turned-husband Mike.
Ranked the best Friends guest star of all was Christina Applegate as Rachel's other sister, the hilariously self-absorbed Amy.
Christina Applegate, Jennifer AnistonPhoto by NBC on Getty Images (Photo by NBC on Getty Images)
As Variety put it, "Both of her episodes are among the best in the show’s later years, and Applegate is a riot from start to finish. An Emmy-winner for the role, she is one of our greatest comedic actors — and Friends knew exactly how to showcase it."
Applegate's Emmy was well-deserved, no doubt about it. Years later, the Amy episodes — of which there were only two — just get funnier and funnier...after dozens (hundreds?) of viewings.
Related: Fan-Favorite 'Friends' Star, 63, Looks 'So Young' in Recent Video
This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
