The 10 most underrated characters in Friends

Usually, when people speak of Friends, the talk is all about Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe. While the core six played the show’s iconic role, the series would not have been the same without the supporting characters. Some were there to provide comic relief, some to deepen the emotional storyline, and some to even shape the central arcs of the series. Unfortunately, most of these supporting characters did not get the recognition they deserved.

Somewhere in there is Gunther's heartbroken silence and Charlie Wheeler's underappreciated genius. In their often-deserved limelight, these supporting characters gave some extra magic in showing Estelle's unwavering belief in Joey, Mr. Heckles' shocking tragic loneliness, or Mike Hannigan's seamless penetra-tion into the friend group. Janice, for instance, became an irritating presence every time, while Tag had a brief but unforgettable moment.

This list will celebrate the ten least-loved characters in Friends and why they need our love. By making us laugh, cry, or cringe, these actors showed that Friends was far greater than just its six leading characters.

Disclaimer: This article is based on the writer's opinion. Reader's discretion is advised.

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1. Gunther

Gunther, the constant barista in Central Perk, is frequently written off as comic relief, but his one-sided love for Rachel gives the show a charmingly bittersweet quality. James Michael Tyler, who portrayed Gunther, disclosed that his casting was based only on his proficiency with an espresso machine. Even though he didn't say much in the first few seasons, his wry remarks and yearning looks won over many fans. Tyler's legacy received fresh attention in 2021 after he opened up about his fight with cancer.

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2. Mike Hannigan

Paul Rudd's Mike Hannigan was more than Phoebe's boyfriend—he was a unique character who fit in perfectly with the gang. His relaxed, goofy nature complemented Phoebe's eccentricities, and their relationship was one of the most healthy on Friends. Rudd, who is now a Marvel superstar, joked that he didn't quite fit in on set, particularly because he showed up in the show's final episode. People usually forget how Mike pushed Phoebe out of her anti-marriage position and provided her with stability she had never known before.

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3. Janice

"Oh. My. God!" Janice's screechy voice and infectious laugh made her one of the most recognizable side characters of Friends. She is often dismissed as an annoying ex but has surprising depth. Most sitcom exes are bitter, but Janice truly cares for Chandler and even gives him relationship advice. Maggie Wheeler, who played Janice, has since embraced the legacies of her character and has even made surprise appearances at fan conventions. But what most people forget is that Janice was one of the few characters who could see through the flaws of the group and the more underrated self-aware presence on the show.

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4. Mr. Heckles

Mr. Heckles, that grumpy neighbor who lived under Monica and Rachel, was often dismissed as a grouchy old man, yet there was something rather tragic about his story. His complaints, from "You are too loud" to "You are disturbing my cat, who does not exist," may have been played for laughs, but there was an undertone of tragedy regarding his lonely demise. His death in Season 2 made Chandler reconsider his fears of becoming an old lonely man. In subsequent interviews, Larry Hankin would confirm that Heckles was truly to be a one-off character, his oddball charm somehow making him recur.

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5. Frank Buffay Jr.

Frank Buffay Jr by Giovanni Ribisi was nothing but a whirlwind of chaos-pure, unpredictable, eccentric, and strangely lovable. His debut consisted of playing a kid who tosses a condom into Phoebe's guitar case, but later he became a great part of her story. One of the strangest yet sweetest relationships on the show Buffay and Alice decided to have triplets (carried by Phoebe!) -is one of the most unconventional yet heartwarming arcs of the series. Ribisi went on to have a career starring in Avatar, but Frank Jr. remains one of his fondest characters.

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6. Estelle Leonard

Joey's chain-smoking, loud-mouthed agent Estelle was an out-and-out scene-stealer. June Gable imbued the character with so much over-the-top insanity that even the briefest physical moments were unforgettable. Joey often treated his agent like a prop, yet Estelle was strangely loyal, even getting him auditions long after Days of Our Lives fired him. Her atypical humor, from threats of violence against other clients to faking her death, launched her into the realm of an underrated comedic powerhouse. Fun fact: Ms. Gable also played a nurse in Friends' very first season! Estelle's exorbitant personality showed great support to Joey so her loss in Season 10 hit particularly hard.

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7. Charlie Wheeler

Charlie Wheeler deserved better. A brilliant paleontologist and one of the few women who could intellectually challenge Ross, she lent that extra level of complexity to the character and helped humanize him. Aisha Tyler would go on to make history as the first Black recurring character on the show, but Charlie's potential was quickly demolished. She had a fascinating dynamic with not only Joey but also Ross, but given the character's premature write-off, many fans were left yearning for more. Tyler, however, said that working on Friends was difficult for her as an outsider, with the rest of the core cast being so bonded.

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8. David the Scientist Guy

David, played by Hank Azaria, was Phoebe's great first love who then got swept away to Minsk for science. While Mike turned out to be a perfect fit for her, David's trademark awkward charm made him an endearing favorite among fans. His return in later seasons felt bittersweet as it covered much of the transfiguration that had happened between him and Phoebe. An audition he did for Joey he has stated he did, but Azaria was all too happy to return as David.

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9. Tag Jones

Tag, Rachel's other young and handsome assistant, was often viewed as nothing more than an eye-candy fling, an important aspect of Rachel's character development. Eddie Cahill plays Tag's adorably naive character, bringing out Rachel's more carefree side. The relationship had no chance from the start, but it was refreshing to see Rachel resist her naturally immature ways as the more mature partner. Cahill would later go on to CSI: NY, but Friends fans still fondly remember him as Rachel's cutest mistake.

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10. Richard Burke

Tom Selleck's Richard went on to be Monica's most serious relationship that predated Chandler, but the impact of this stint has more often than not, gone unnoticed. Unlike Monica's usual romantic interests, Richard was mature and composed, and since he loved her completely, this unsuitable relationship with him was better than any other. They split due to different attitudes towards children, which made it one of the most realistic and heartbreakingly touching moments in Friends. Selleck, already a TV icon from Magnum, Pi, brought undeniable charm to the role.