Courteney Cox Marks 20 Years Since Final ‘Friends’: ‘Forever Grateful’

Courteney Cox is reflecting on the finale of Friends.

On Monday, May 6, the actress, 59, shared an emotional post as she marked the 20th anniversary of the hit show’s final episode on her Instagram.

“It’s been 20 years since the series finale of Friends,” Cox wrote while posting the last scene from the last episode of the show. “I don’t know how we were able to act through all the tears. Forever grateful ♥️.”

In the scene shared, Monica (played by Cox) Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), Ross (David Schwimmer), Joey (Matt LeBlanc), Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) and Chandler (Matthew Perry) stood in Monica and Rachel’s old apartment before Monica and Chandler left for their new house with their baby.

A teary-eyed Rachel asked the pair, “Do you guys have to go to the new house right away, or do you have some time?” To which Monica replied, “We got some time.”

“OK, shall we get some coffee?” Rachel suggested as they all headed out the door of the apartment.

“Sure …,” Chandler said, adding jokily, “… where?” 

The Friends cast then appeared holding hands on the set of the apartment and gave an emotional bow to a clapping crew and audience as solemn music played over the top. 

The 20th anniversary of the Friends finale comes as the sitcom also celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. The successful show, which followed a group of six close friends in New York City, ran for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004 and continues to garner new generations of fans 20 years later.

The anniversary also follows castmember Perry’s death at age 54 in October 2023. The actor died due to acute effects of ketamine and drowning, an autopsy report later confirmed.

The Friends cast shared a statement with PEOPLE in reaction to Perry’s death at the time: “We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family,” their statement read. “There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.”

“In time we will say more, as and when we are able,” the statement continued. “For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”

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Following the end of Friends, Cox has remained close with Aniston, 55, and the pair are often seen hanging out together. On April 19, the former costars were spotted at a glamorous dinner at Funke in Beverly Hills, California. 

Cox also paid a birthday tribute to Aniston in February, writing, “Happy Birthday my sweet Jenny Louise. Also don’t know why I call her that…but I sure do love you ♥️.”