22 Years After Friends Finale: Inside the Emotional Goodbye That Ended One of TV’s Most Iconic Sitcoms

It’s been 22 years since Friends aired its unforgettable series finale on May 6, 2004, in a television moment that marked the end of one of the most beloved sitcoms in history.

After 10 seasons, nearly a decade of cultural dominance and a cast that became household names — Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green, Courteney Cox as Monica Geller, David Schwimmer as Ross Geller, Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani, Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay and Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing— the final episode drew more than 50 million viewers in the U.S. alone, cementing the show’s place in television and pop culture history.

The finale itself was filled with emotional goodbyes and long-awaited resolutions: Ross and Rachel found their way back to each other, Monica and Chandler prepared to move to the suburbs with their new twins, and the group shared one last moment in Monica’s apartment before leaving their keys behind.

Behind the scenes, the emotions were equally as intense.

According to PEOPLE’s reporting at the time, filming the final episode was an overwhelming experience for the cast and crew.

As Maggie Wheeler, who played Janice, Chandler’s ex on the show, told PEOPLE shortly after the finale was filmed, “the tears were flowing and the entire cast had to go back and have their makeup redone before starting.”

“The energy in the place was just incredible,” she added.
For the cast, saying goodbye wasn’t something they could do in a single moment.

“It’s going to be extremely hard to not be a part of this show that I’ve grown up doing,” Cox said at the time. “I don’t know what it’ll be like not doing it.” So reluctant was the cast to part ways that they marked the end with multiple gatherings, including a dinner at Aniston and then-husband Brad Pitt’s home, and another at West Hollywood restaurant Il Sole.

“The party was beautiful and sweet,” Aniston told PEOPLE at the time. “And sad.”
Just before cameras rolled on the final day of filming, the six stars gathered for one last private ritual. “That’s one thing that has stayed consistent for 10 years, is that nobody knows what goes on in that huddle,” executive producer Kevin S. Bright told PEOPLE. “Nobody gets near it—I don’t think you’re allowed to be within eyesight.”
The cast reunited in 2021 for HBO Max’s Friends special. Perry died in 2023 at 54 due to the acute effects of ketamine, with cast members often remembering the late actor.

“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother,” his family said in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE. “Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend. You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.”