The NBC sitcom Friends has had its run in the television world cocooned in the language of stardom. The iconic 90s show not only offered reflectivity and relatability but also imitated the social decorums of the time with its hilarious jabs. While the series found its elevation variably for its finger-in-the-eye projections, one of the compelling factors about the show also laid affront due to its historic paychecks. 

Even though it has been over two decades since Friends drew its curtain call, it might come as a shocker that the cast still fills their pockets from royalties. While one might assume the royalties to be spare figures, the culmination actually attests to a millionaire number.  

Friends’ cast royalty earnings

Closure from the television world does not always account for a conclusion of its cash flow and Friends is the best example of that. This is why even after crossing the mark several years after its end, the Friends cast still pockets profits, thanks to the royalty clause. As per the reports, the core members earn a staggering figure of $20 million every year, just from the residuals alone (via Parade).

The show brings in $1 billion for Warner Bros. every year with its broadcast rights and syndicated reruns. Each member is assigned the right to pad their pockets with 2 percent of the billionaire paycheck. As a result, each actor gets to take home $20 million annually. Especially with the courtesy of Netflix and Max, the probability of their fattening wallets seems all the more justified.

While the Friends cast making profits from the show till now might be shocking, what is more surprising is how the show’s historic paychecks made the female stars the highest-paid actresses of their time.

Highest paid actress from Friends

The fame and money that came along with the recognition of Friends was truly jaw-dropping. While Matthew Perry was one among them to express his mixed reactions about their notable income, it is this landmark salary only that established Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, and Lisa Kudrow as the highest-paid actresses of their time during the 9th and 10th seasons. In 2002, the cast reportedly managed to negotiate a whopping salary of $1 million per episode. 

The contemporary break-up would amount to figure to somewhere around $1.35 million. In total, the cast received $41 million each for their last dance in the series for the last two seasons. While the figures have amplified in the years to come with their variably different takeups, the amount still feels priceless when one takes a look back at the stack of memories they have left for the audience worldwide.

Did you know that the Friends cast still gets royalty? Let us know in the comments below!