During the run of the popular sitcom Friends, several actors played more than one character, surprising fans. Lisa Kudrow, who portrayed Phoebe Buffay, also played her character’s twin sister Ursula Buffay in eight episodes. Jon Lovitz appeared as a restaurant owner and later as a blind date for Rachel, leading some fans to believe he played two different characters. However, he was credited as Steve in both episodes.
Other lesser-known actors such as Ashley Clark, Douglas Looper, Kim Harris, and Cynthia Mann also played multiple characters throughout the series. One memorable character, Phoebe’s friend and co-worker Jasmine, was portrayed by Cynthia Mann in four episodes. Jasmine played a pivotal role in Rachel discovering Ross’s betrayal and also had a tense encounter with Phoebe’s brother.
Estelle Leonard, Joey’s eccentric agent, appeared in twelve episodes. It may surprise viewers to learn that the actress who played Estelle, June Gable, also appeared as a nurse in the episode where Joey’s friend Lydia gives birth. Giovanni Ribisi, known for his roles in shows like Avatar, played Phoebe’s eccentric brother Frank Buffay Jr. in nine episodes. Before his iconic role as Frank, Ribisi appeared in an earlier episode as a character who mistakenly gave Phoebe his only condom. Overall, these actors added an extra layer of surprise and complexity to the beloved show Friends, with many fans only discovering their multiple roles after rewatching the series.
