During the initial seasons of the iconic sitcom Friends, David Schwimmer was the highest-paid actor among the main cast. While his co-stars were earning approximately $22,500 per episode, Schwimmer reportedly commanded a salary of $40,000 per episode until the second season.
The Evolution of Friends Cast Salaries
The salary structure for the Friends cast underwent significant changes throughout the show's ten-season run, largely due to the cast's groundbreaking collective negotiation efforts.
Early Seasons: Initial Disparities
In the very beginning, individual actors negotiated their own salaries, leading to differences in pay. David Schwimmer, known for his role as Ross Geller, was initially the highest earner.
- Season 1 & 2: David Schwimmer earned a reported $40,000 per episode, significantly more than the $22,500 earned by the other five main cast members.
The Power of Collective Bargaining
By the third season, the six main actors – Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer – united to negotiate their contracts as a single unit. This unprecedented move in television history ensured that they would all earn the same amount per episode, regardless of their individual screen time or popularity. This collective approach became a powerful benchmark for future ensemble casts in Hollywood.
Salary Progression Through the Seasons
The cast's unified stance led to substantial salary increases over the years, making them some of the highest-paid television actors of their time.
| Season | Year | Salary Per Episode (Each Actor) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | 1994-1996 | $22,500 - $40,000 (Schwimmer) | Initial individual negotiations |
| 3 | 1996-1997 | $75,000 | First collective negotiation for equal pay |
| 4 | 1997-1998 | $85,000 | |
| 5 | 1998-1999 | $100,000 | |
| 6 | 1999-2000 | $125,000 | |
| 7-8 | 2000-2002 | $750,000 | Significant jump after further negotiations |
| 9-10 | 2002-2004 | $1,000,000 | Culminated in the iconic million-dollar paydays |
By the show's final two seasons, each of the six Friends stars earned an astounding $1 million per episode, effectively making them collectively the highest-paid actors on a television series at that time. This set a new standard for performer compensation in long-running, highly successful ensemble shows.
