One of the most iconic moments that fans might recall is the unique tribute the show paid to Courteney Cox’s marriage in Season 6, Episode 1, titled “The One After Vegas.”
In this special episode, something unusual happened during the opening credits — everyone’s surname changed, and it was all in honor of Cox’s recent marriage to actor David Arquette.
Courteney Cox, who played the lovable and obsessive Monica Geller, tied the knot with David Arquette in June 1999. In a sweet and humorous nod to this significant moment in her life, the producers decided to change the cast members’ last names in the opening credits to “Arquette.” The newlywed’s name appeared as “Courteney Cox Arquette,” and in a one-time-only twist, the rest of the main cast followed suit. Jennifer Aniston became “Jennifer Aniston Arquette,” and Matt LeBlanc was listed as “Matt LeBlanc Arquette,” and so on.
Interestingly, this was also the only time in the entire series when Courteney Cox’s name appeared before her fellow cast members in the opening credits, marking this moment as even more significant. While the cast normally appeared in alphabetical order, this one-time exception was a beautiful way to celebrate Courteney’s big day, emphasizing her importance to the show and her close-knit relationship with the Friends family.
Though the gesture was short-lived — appearing only in that single episode — it left a lasting impact on fans and remains a fond memory for those who noticed the change. It was a playful yet heartfelt tribute to Courteney Cox, showing just how much the cast and crew of Friends supported one another both on and off screen. The episode itself was a fun follow-up to the chaotic Vegas wedding storyline, but the change in the opening credits added an extra layer of joy for fans celebrating along with Cox.
In the years following this sweet moment, Cox and Arquette’s relationship evolved, and they later divorced in 2013. However, the friendship and bonds between the Friends cast remained intact, with Cox and Arquette continuing to co-parent their daughter and support one another’s careers.
This charming detail of the surname switch remains one of Friends’ most cherished behind-the-scenes memories, offering fans a small glimpse into the personal lives of the actors and their shared joy during life’s big moments.
