The "Friends" cast instantly felt a special connection during the table read for the pilot episode. In his memoir, Matthew Perry shared how they bonded in Monica's apartment on set, as director Jimmy Burrows encouraged them to get to know each other. Courteney Cox, already an established actor, emphasized the importance of being an ensemble show and forming a friendship. The group followed her advice and became inseparable from that day forward.

Perry was unsure how the reading would go, but they impressed everyone with their professionalism and comedic timing. They could sense the show's potential success and the possibility of fame and fortune. In 2002, the cast made history by negotiating together for a $1 million per episode salary. Schwimmer played a key role in leading the charge, proposing that everyone should be paid equally. Perry was grateful for this decision, which turned out to be very lucrative.

This move was later repeated by the leads of "The Big Bang Theory." Perry's recent passing has brought back memories of his time with the "Friends" cast, as he was laid to rest near the Warner Bros. studios, where they filmed the show for 10 years.