Almost everyone knows that the main cast of Friends consists of the main six and their adventures in love, life, and careers. But fans of the beloved sitcom would agree that there are a number of supporting and side characters that have made their mark on the series. In fact, some of these side characters shine so much during their time on screen that they could easily join the ranks of the main show's iconic main characters.
Regardless of whether they have appeared throughout all ten seasons or only a handful of episodes, these side characters have main character energy. They have made the most of their screentime and have won over fans as well as slotting in well with the main six, whether they like them or not.
Janice
Each of the main six characters had a string of relationships that lasted from one episode to an entire season. But no ex in Friends, be they the best or worst, is perhaps as memorable as Janice, Chandler's on-off girlfriend.
From her nasal "Oh. My. God!" to her distinct laugh, Janice is a larger-than-life presence whenever she is onscreen. Furthermore, during the time she was in a committed relationship with Chandler, Janice certainly looked like one of the gang. In fact, Janice is one of the only supporting characters to appear in all ten seasons of Friends and is always managing to worm her way into the lives of the six somehow. Whether fans find her lovable or annoying, Janice certainly exudes main character energy.
Mr. Treeger
Mr. Treeger is the superintendent for the building of Monica's and Joey's apartments. Although gruff and imposing at times, Treeger does have a heart of gold. He is always on hand to fix anything wrong in the apartments and does a great job of it, making him one of the most reliable characters on Friends.
As the superintendent of essentially two of the main settings of the show, Treeger is easily a side character with main character potential. The times he is on screen, he is funny, very likable, and even sometimes sympathetic. His greatest moment is when he practices his dance moves with Joey, both of whom have a great time. There was a lot of potential for a great friendship there.
Marcel
One of the most unforgettable aspects of the early seasons is when Ross adopts a Capuchin monkey called Marcel. Mischievous and adorable, Marcel was often causing misadventures for the main six throughout season 1, but after he landed a job in acting, Marcel bid farewell to Ross and New York City in season 2.
Considering he was the source for a number of jokes and plots in the early season, it's a shame that Marcel didn't become one of the show's main characters. Granted, it might have been difficult to have a pet as a main character but Marcel showed a lot of personality that would have made him a good fit, from having a favorite song to entertaining arguments with Ross. Some fans would even consider Marcel the monkey as an honorary roommate.
Frank Jr.
One notable thing about Phoebe is that she never knew who her father was. So whilst she had no luck finding him during one episode, she ended up discovering she had a half-brother, Frank Jr.
Frank Jr. had a lot of potential to be a main character, especially as Phoebe becomes a surrogate to his triplets. Whilst immature and with a lack of intelligence that made Joey look smart, Frank Jr. was funny and well-meaning and did appear to get on with the main six. In fact, when Frank and Alice got married, Joey was selected to be Frank Jr.'s best man and Ross was asked to be the ring-bearer. A lot of fun could have been had with those three if Frank were a main character.
The Chick And The Duck
Season 3 saw Joey adopt a chick after seeing a commercial and a failed attempt to rehome "Yasmin" resulted in Chandler also adopting a duck. The two birds have been lovable additions to the cast since.
Joey and Chandler bonding with the chick and the duck is a Friends storyline fans wanted to be expanded. Their interactions with Joey and Chandler are always fun and a joy to watch, and they often seem to have fun with animal-loving Phoebe as well. It is also worth noting the heartwarming scene where Joey, Chandler, and Ross reminisce fun and happy memories of the duck when he's having an operation. It is also thanks to the chick (revealed to be a rooster) that Monica and Rachel ultimately yet temporarily switched apartments with Joey and Chandler.
David
Sweet and shy scientist David was Phoebe's first love. Introduced in the first season, David and Phoebe hit it off almost immediately and there was such strong chemistry that looked ready to last at least one season. But David's application for a scientific grant was accepted and he flew off to Minsk at the end of the episode.
When it came to romance, none of Phoebe's partners came close to how much she loved David, with the exception of Mike. As he was quiet and socially awkward, David balanced the more extroverted main six friends well, including Phoebe. He made a big impact in the few episodes he starred in and, as brilliant as Mike is, it is a shame that David wasn't elevated to main character status.
Richard
Before Monica and Chandler, there was Monica and Richard. Although there were signs that Monica and Richard were doomed from the start of their relationship, there's no denying that Richard is a well-liked supporting character and perhaps the best of the main six's ex-partners.
Although twenty years her senior, Richard and Monica were very much in love and the rest of the six were just as fond of him as Monica. It was purely their desire for different things that drove them apart and even after they broke up, Monica took a very long time to recover in what was perhaps the longest break-up recovery in the entire show. If they hadn't broken up, it is possible that Richard could have been made a main character.
Jack and Judy Geller
Throughout the course of Friends, viewers are introduced to the main cast's parents. And being one of the only characters that have appeared in all ten series, Jack and Judy Geller easily have the most main character energy out of all of the Friends' parents.
Both together and individually, Jack and Judy never failed to make fans laugh, whether it was Judy snidely nitpicking at Monica or Jack making out-of-place comments at inappropriate times. What's more, they ultimately play a large role in not just their children's lives but also the lives of Chandler, who becomes their son-in-law, and Rachel, Monica's oldest friend. It is fair to say that Jack and Judy are one of the best sitcom parents to date.
Mike
According to Grazia, Mike was only meant to be in a few episodes. But the crew liked him so much that he stayed on for more episodes and ended up becoming Phoebe's beloved husband.
A complete stranger scouted by Joey when he desperately tries to find a date for Phoebe at the last minute, Mike won over not just fans but also the main six (with perhaps the exception of Ross in one of Friends' most cringe-worthy moments according to Reddit), who should have been introduced into the show sooner. He was such a great character who fitted in well with the show and having his debut towards the end of the show is a huge pity for both the character and fans.
Gunther
The manager of coffee house Central Perk, the main hangout for the six, Gunther is considered by many as the seventh friend. Although not usually a key element to the episodes' plots, Gunther is always a beloved presence and often elevated the scenes when needed.
Whether he's delivering a sarcastic comment or secretly pining over Rachel, Gunther is just as a crucial part of Friends as the main six characters and is considered a star of the show in his own right. It is no wonder that the sad passing of James Michael Tylor broke the hearts of fans, cast, and crew alike.