Courteney Cox is reflecting on the enduring legacy of her iconic role as Monica Geller from the beloved television series Friends, as the show commemorates its 30th anniversary.
At the Rock4EB charity event in Malibu, California, on September 21, Cox, 60, shared her thoughts with PEOPLE about the milestone. “It’s just insane to me because it feels like time goes so fast, and I don’t realize it,” she remarked. “We used to say, ‘Oh, I can’t wait for this month,’ but I would never say that line anymore.”
Friends debuted on NBC on September 22, 1994, and ran for ten successful seasons until May 6, 2004. The sitcom, which follows six friends navigating life in New York City, featured Cox alongside Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, the late Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer.
Cox humorously affirmed that her character continues to resonate in popular culture, declaring, “Monica is alive and well. Are you kidding?” While she cherishes her memories of the series, she admitted to not watching episodes frequently. “I haven’t seen an episode in a little while, but whenever I do come across it, I can’t help but watch,” she said.
Highlighting the show’s remarkable quality, Cox added, “That show is incredible. Every joke holds up, all the characters are just so amazing, and we had the best writers in the world. I’m lucky that it continues on through all the generations, and that’s very fortunate.”
As for the show’s lasting impact, Cox expressed skepticism about the potential for a successful reboot. In response to comments from creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane regarding pitches for a series centered around the next generation, she stated, “It’s hard to try to redo anything. Anything with ‘re’ in front of it with this group… I think it’s so special.”
The Rock4EB event supports the Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Research Foundation, dedicated to raising awareness and funding for a group of rare diseases that cause fragile skin and blisters. Cox emphasized the importance of the cause, saying, “We need to continue to raise funds. This is such a behind-the-scenes charity no one understands. It’s just not out there enough.” The event featured performances from various celebrities, including Pink, who headlined this year’s gathering.
Cox’s commitment to both her iconic role and charitable efforts underscores the lasting influence of Friends and its cast on popular culture and social causes.
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