“It was pretty jarring”—When David Schwimmer admitted how Friends fame affected his personal life
David Schwimmer became a household name after his iconic portrayal of Ross Geller in cult-favorite Friends. However, the fame that the sitcom garnered didn't come easy, for Schwimmer. This is because in an old podcast the Friends shared how the overwhelming fame from the show significantly affected his personal life and perspective as an actor.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast, he called the sudden shift explaining how his life changed almost overnight after the success of the NBC sitcom.
“It was pretty jarring and it messed with my relationship to other people in a way that took years, I think, for me to kind of adjust to and become comfortable with,” Schwimmer admitted.
It took David Schwimmer a while to get accustomed to the new found stardom
Playing Ross Geller brought Schwimmer into millions of homes, but the stardom that followed wasn’t something he had anticipated or prepared for.
“As an actor, the way I was trained, my job was to observe life and to observe other people,” Schwimmer said. Before Friends, he would walk around with his head up, fully engaged and watching people, drawing inspiration from everyday life. However, fame altered this dynamic entirely.
“The effect of celebrity was the absolute opposite: It made me want to hide under a baseball cap, not be seen,” he said.
Furthermore, he added that the fame left him questioning. He said:
“How do I be an actor in this new world, in this new situation? How do I do my job?”
It was a struggle that took him years to navigate and adjust to. Not only this, the fame also changed how others interacted with him. While some moments of recognition were flattering, many felt intrusive.
Schwimmer noted how television actors, especially those in comforting comedies like Friends, hold a unique place in viewers’ lives. “You are in their home,” he explained. This familiarity made the sudden attention harder to process, as it felt both invasive and constant.
David Schwimmer's physical comedy was highly appreciated by late Friends star Matthew Perry
While appearing on the Origins with Cush Jumbo podcast (via People), David Schwimmer was surprised to hear the host talk about a conversation she once had with the late Friends star, Matthew Perry. Notably, David Schwimmer expressed surprise and gratitude when he learned that Matthew Perry had praised his comedic skills on Friends.
During a podcast interview, Schwimmer was informed by host Cush Jumbo that Perry had previously spoken highly of his physical comedy. Jumbo revealed Perry described Schwimmer as a "linchpin" in scenes, saying:
"Without you being the pin, the other things don’t work."
Perry had highlighted Schwimmer’s precise choreography and the way others relied on his physicality to shape the flow of their performances. Schwimmer admitted he was taken aback by the compliment. Moreover, he acknowledged his theater training as a foundation for his meticulous approach to physical comedy.
"That’s a huge compliment, and I’m surprised to hear it because Matthew was reserved with me. He would not say that to me...I would work and work on any physical comedy in a scene,” Schwimmer said.
Reflecting on Perry’s words, David Schwimmer appreciated the recognition of his efforts. He shared that crafting these moments required precision and collaboration, and he was humbled to know his co-star valued his contributions.
