Top 10 Recurring Non-main Friends Characters

It seems that Friends gets more popular the longer time goes by. I'd suggest that it's the only TV programme that the majority of fans would endlessly watch over and over, quoting as they go, without getting bored. The main characters are 6 of the best sitcom characters of all time, so great that it is almost impossible for me to rank them in order of my favourites. But alas, Friends was also blessed with an immense supporting cast. And so, I compile a list of my top 10 favourite recurring characters, non-main of course.

10. Mr Heckles - Larry Hankin

Mr. Heckles: You're disturbing my Oboe practice!
Phoebe: You don't play the Oboe!
Mr. Heckles: I could play the Oboe

Mr Heckles, only appeared in 5 episodes, and was killed off in the second series (although he did reappear in a flashback in series 3). However, his larger than life character was enough in this time to make it on to my list. The wacky neighbour who lived downstairs was a character unlike any other in Friends. I can't imagine him fitting in in the later series, as his humour stinks of the early episodes. Although  he is a mad, often immoral man, there is an underlying sadness to his character, which brings a kind of sympathy to him.

9. Ursula - Lisa Kudrow

Phoebe Buffay: Do you know my middle name?
Ursula Buffay: Yeah! Phoebe.
Phoebe Buffay: Phoebe is my first name.
Ursula Buffay: Oh! Okay. Then no.

Credit must go to Lisa Kudrow, to play 2 characters similar enough to be believable as twins, but different enough to be different people. Ursula the waitress was actually a character Kudrow was playing in a sitcom called Mad About You when the pilot for friends was first shot. The writers decided to make the characters sisters as a joke. Ursula somehow was more ditzy and stupid than Phoebe, and there were some brilliant scenes between the two of them. Let's also give the brilliant editing the attention it deserves.

8. Estelle - June Gable

Joey: So, you're not mad at me for getting fired and everything?

Estelle: Joey, look at me, look at me. Do I have lipstick on my teeth?

Another creation that didn't make it to the end of the show alive. A brilliant character which reflected how poor Joey's career was, especially at her funeral, in which we saw her only other client was a man who ate paper. A straight talking, tough cookie, you would expect her to have been better at her job. Again, perhaps more of a caricature of a New York Showbiz agent, Estelle was definitely a creation of the earlier series. But she certainly didn't look out of place as the show went on, and in my humble opinion, fully deserves a place in my list.

7. Dr Leonard Green - Ron Leibman

Phoebe: I don't eat meat.
Dr. Leonard Green: It's chicken!
Phoebe: Yeah, well, I don't eat that either.
Dr. Leonard Green:  I'll never understand you lesbians. 

Probably better known as "Rachel's Dad", Dr Green was an angry, vicious and generally scary man. It's rather surprising therefore, that he made me laugh so much. I find it difficult to believe that Leibman isn't like him  in real life, and if not, big kudos to the actor. His best moments were when he refused to accept Ross' attempts to, for want of a better word, seduce him. A stereotypical tough father, he would not allow anything unjust to happen to his daughter, and as a result, he was centred around some of the most awkward moments in Friends.


6. Jack & Judy Gellar - Elliot Gould & Christina Pickles

Judy Geller: Here, Monica, you can finish off these pies. There was no room in the fridge. 
Monica: No. No thank you. 
Jack Geller: Well, Judy, you did it. She's finally full.

I do realise that these were 2 separate characters, but hey, they were a team, and impossible to like one more than the other. Ross and Monica's parents were there at the very beginning and there at the very end. The underlying suggestion that they love Ross more than Monica is a joke that never got old, with Ross saving Monica's speech at their wedding anniversary a particular highlight. They were also the ultimate embarrassing parents, often recollecting rather amusing stories of their kids' childhood. 

5. David - Hank Azaria

David: Please, you don't have to explain... I mean... perhaps I hadn't gone to Minsk, things would have worked out for us. And I wouldn't have ruined my career, or lost that toe to frostbite. It was a good trip!

An oddly charming character, David was Phoebe's "the one that got away". The wonderful character actor Hank Azaria played the ever awkward and timid scientist who appeared in frequent visits from Minsk. The polar opposite to Phoebe, they did seem to fit very well, but it would appear the forces of the universe forbid them from being together. A shame for the fans, but we got over it. David was written and acted to perfection.


4. Frank Jnr. - Giovanni Ribisi

Phoebe Buffay: Okay so, by melting, you meant melting.
Frank Buffay Jr.: Yeah
Phoebe Buffay: So is it like art?
Frank Buffay Jr.: Yeah, you can melt art. Hey, can I use your phone?
Phoebe Buffay: Um, yeah sure. Why? You wanna call your Mom?
Frank Buffay Jr.: No, I wanna melt it. 

 Frank Jnr. was the ultimate weirdo. But, as a Buffay that wasn't suprising. Phoebe's long lost soon found half brother went on a bit of  journey through the show. From a kid who liked to melt stuff, to a father of triplets with his high school teacher Mrs Knight. Frank Jnr. was first introduced in 1996 (Although he did make a brief appearance as an uncredited character in '95, who accidently dropped his condom in Phoebe's guitar case). Ribisi in many roles since, none came close Frank Jnr.


3. Mike - Paul Rudd

Phoebe: Rita is a massage client.
Mike Hanigan: Oh, why don't you introduce me?
Phoebe: Rita, this is my husband.
Mike Hanigan: Why don't you tell her my name?
Phoebe: Ok, I will. This is... this is my husband, Crap Bag.
Rita - Massage Client: Crap Bag.
Mike Hanigan: If you need an easy way to remember it just think of a bag of crap. 

The role that shot Paul Rudd to stardom. Mike practically became the 7th Friend. He ended up marrying Phoebe, after Joey set them up on a blind date, meeting him hours before in the coffee house. A unique character on the list, as we laugh with him, not at him. A man with a great sense of humour, he was a perfect match for Pheebs. Rudd has brilliant timing and is a master of physical humour. It's really a shame he came into the show so late.

2. Janice - Maggie Wheeler

Janice: you seek me out. something deep in your soul calls out to me like a fog horn.
Janice, Janice. you push me away then you pull me back in. Janice, Janice. You want me. You need me. you can't live without me. And you know it. you just don't know you know it.

Ah, Janice Litman-Garelnick nee Hosenstein. The character we all love to want punch in the face. Other than a brief period in which she sustained a relationship with Chandler, she was the most lovably irritating character in the history of character. From the token cackle to the infamous "Oh My Gawd", Janice spent most of her time on the show oblivious to the fact everyone, especially Chandler, was trying to avoid her. I'd spend every series excited to see where she'd pop up next, and was never disappointed. I feel sorry for Wheeler, she'll never be able to shake off Janice. Then again, she should be eternally grateful that she got to play such a brilliant character.


1. Gunther - James Michael Tyler

Joey Tribbiani: Hey, Gunther, have you, uh, have you seen Chandler?
Gunther: I thought you were Chandler. But um... one of you is over there

Appearing in a whopping 141 episodes, Gunther was without a doubt the best of the rest. And it all came by chance. Originally just earning a few dollars as an extra on the show, he got to work behind the counter as he had experience in operating a coffee machine. He was given one line as an unnamed character, the audience roared, and he became a regular. The manager of Central Perk with the wild hair was a constant source of top humour. His undying love for Rachel, and his frustration to confess meant the audience had a special bond with him that the characters didn't. In tandem with this, his hatred of Ross was very funny, especially seeing Ross' bemusement. A rather pathetic and lonely man, he was a loveable loser. And I'm sure we all wish he was our Friend!

There were many other very important characters that didn't make the list, such as Richard, Carol, Susan, Ben, Emma, Emily, Charlie, Barry, Mark and Paolo. However, I didn't feel they were particularly funny, which was important to me. Others that just missed the cut were Eddie, Erica, Amy, Joanna and Mr Treeger, all of whom I was a big fan of, but didn't appear frequently enough or had too tough competition to be included.