The beloved sitcom Friends made us fall in love with six New Yorkers navigating life, love, and laughs.

Jennifer Aniston, who became a household name as the stylish and quirky Rachel Green, was born to two actors. Her father, John Aniston, is well-known for his long-running role on Days of Our Lives, and her mother, Nancy Dow, was also an actress and model. Growing up in a showbiz family, Jennifer’s path to Hollywood was perhaps written in the stars.

Courteney Cox, the perfectionist and lovable chef Monica, was raised in Birmingham, Alabama. Her father, Richard Lewis Cox, was a businessman, while her mother, Courteney Copeland, was a housewife. While Courteney’s family had no direct ties to Hollywood, her strong Southern upbringing helped her ground the character of Monica in warmth and determination.

Lisa Kudrow, who played the eccentric and lovable Phoebe, was born into an intellectual family. Her father, Lee Kudrow, is a doctor specializing in headaches, while her mother, Nedra, was a travel agent. With no acting background, Lisa’s family was rooted in academia, which might explain why she originally pursued a career in biology before turning to acting.

David Schwimmer, the paleontologist Ross, also comes from a family of academics. His mother, Arlene, is a successful divorce lawyer, and his father, Arthur, is in real estate. Though not actors, his parents supported his early interest in theater, which ultimately led him to become one of television’s most beloved characters.

Matt LeBlanc, who won hearts as the lovable but dim-witted Joey Tribbiani, grew up far from Hollywood glamour. His father, Paul LeBlanc, was a mechanic, and his mother, Patricia, worked as an office manager. Growing up in a working-class family in Newton, Massachusetts, Matt’s humble beginnings brought an authenticity to Joey’s character that fans adored.

Matthew Perry, famous for his sarcastic one-liners as Chandler Bing, had a more complicated upbringing. His mother, Suzanne Morrison, was a press secretary for the Canadian prime minister, while his father, John Bennett Perry, is an actor and former model. Raised by his mother in Ottawa after his parents divorced, Matthew’s witty portrayal of Chandler was shaped by his unique childhood experiences.

The success of Friends wouldn’t have been possible without the real-life support systems that nurtured these talented actors. From showbiz legacies to humble beginnings, the parents of the Friends cast played a key role in shaping the beloved characters we know today.