David Schwimmer's Performance On Friends Once Brought His Co-Star To Tears

Summary

• We are used to thinking of Friends as a comedy.
• However, there were many dramatic and touching moments that certainly contributed to the sitcom's wild popularity.
• Many of these scenes were so emotional because of the main cast's deep understanding of their characters.
• One unscripted scene by David Schwimmer proves it.

Despite ending two decades ago (can you believe it?), Friends remains a widely beloved sitcom that continues to capture the hearts of new generations of viewers every year. The mere fact that Netflix once shelled out a staggering $100 million to keep the series on the platform for another year says a lot about its enduring popularity.

No doubt the show owes its timeless appeal to engaging storylines, sharp writing and witty humor. But the incredible talent and chemistry of its core cast, along with their unforgettable interactions with guest stars, is what really seals the deal. Numerous unplanned, unscripted, and improvised moments that come from the actors' deep understanding of their characters attest to this.

One standout scene, for example, was born out of David Schwimmer's brilliant portrayal of Ross Geller.

Inspiring Talent

We are used to seeing Ross in comedic situations. Just remember the hysterical unagi episode or the leather pants situation. However, all Manhattan friends are three-dimensional, complicated characters, and the sitcom had many touching moments that allowed David Schwimmer to showcase his dramatic talent.

One such moment moved his co-star to tears. Actress Jane Sibbett once told Today in an interview dedicated to the show's 25th anniversary that she was in no hurry to accept the role of Carol, Ross' lesbian ex-wife, until she watched Schwimmer's take for a pilot.

Once she saw his unique approach to comedy and his ability to convey emotional depth in a scene, Sibbett said she had to take the role. And working with her co-star proved to be everything she had hoped for. The most memorable scene for her came in Season 1 Episode 14, The One with the Candy Hearts.

Unscripted Tears

In this scene, Ross, still reeling from his split with Carol, goes on one of his first dates since the divorce and finds himself in a restaurant sitting next to his ex-wife and her new partner, Susan. As the evening progresses, Susan has to leave, much to Carol's disappointment, and Ross abandons his date to comfort his ex-wife.

At the end of the night, Ross begs Carol to rekindle their relationship, even though he knows it's a lost cause. Sibbett described this moment as 'the sweetest, sweetest scene,' sharing how Schwimmer's heartfelt performance brought her to tears that were not part of the script.

'It was so emotional and he made me cry,' the actress told Today. 'My eyes welled with tears as we were doing the scene because he was so tender and so loving.'

Sibbett's genuine tears added a layer of emotional depth and authenticity to the scene. It was so powerful and heart-wrenching that the crew decided to include this unscripted take in the final cut of the episode, allowing us to enjoy this emotional moment for years to come.

Source: Today.