In a recent interview with PEOPLE, actor Cole Sprouse reflects on his time spent on the hit show Friends, where he played the role of Ben Geller from 2000 to 2002 at the young age of seven. Despite only appearing in 10 episodes, Sprouse acknowledges the significant impact that Friends has had on popular culture, describing it as an iconic entity.
Given his young age at the time, Sprouse admits that his memories of being on the show may differ from those of his older castmates who were part of the series for a much longer duration. As the now 31-year-old actor reflects on his time on Friends, he reveals that he has had no contact with his former cast members since their time on the show ended. Sprouse expresses his surprise at never having crossed paths with the likes of David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and the late Matthew Perry as adults.
In Hollywood, it is almost considered rare for former cast members not to run into each other, making Sprouse's lack of encounters with his Friends co-stars quite unexpected for him. He had previously assumed that bumping into them would have been inevitable in the entertainment industry. Even Jennifer Aniston, during a 2023 interview alongside Adam Sandler, displayed shock upon learning about Sprouse's current age, remarking on how small he was during their time together on the show.
Despite not having connected with his former Friends co-stars, Sprouse has stayed busy in his acting career as an adult. He has added numerous credits to his résumé, including his roles in movies such as Five Feet Apart (2019) alongside Haley Lu Richardson and Moonshot (2022) with Lana Condor. Sprouse is also known for his portrayal of Jughead Jones in the popular series Riverdale, which has garnered him a significant fan base. Additionally, he is set to appear in the forthcoming film adaptation of Mason Deaver's I Wish You All the Best.
While his work as an adult is notable, Sprouse's onscreen appearances as a child remain beloved and plentiful. From his appearances in the 1990s comedy series Grace Under Fire to his roles in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and its spinoffs alongside his twin brother Dylan, Sprouse has left a lasting impression in the hearts of many. He expresses his gratitude for the enduring impact his work has had on people's childhoods, particularly with regard to The Suite Life.
Sprouse also shares that he maintains a close relationship with the cast and crew of The Suite Life, but the person he consistently communicates with from his earlier years in the industry is Adam Sandler, his co-star in the 1999 film Big Daddy. He admires Sandler's career and appreciates the balance he strikes between art and commercial success.
It is clear that Cole Sprouse's career has evolved from his childhood roles into varied and successful adult ventures. While he may not have had the opportunity to reconnect with his former Friends co-stars, his contributions to entertainment continue to resonate with audiences. Sprouse's latest project, Lisa Frankenstein, is currently in theaters, providing fans with yet another opportunity to see his talent shine on the big screen.
