Monica (Friends)
| Monica Geller | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Friends character | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Portrayed by | Courteney Cox | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Duration | 1994–2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First appearance | "The Pilot" (episode 1.01) |
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| Last appearance | "The Last One, Part 2" (episode 10.18) |
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| Occupation | Chef | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Father | Jack Geller |
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| Mother | Judy Geller |
| Brothers | Ross Geller |
| Husband | Chandler Bing (2001-) |
| Adoptive sons | Jack Bing |
| Adoptive daughters | Erica Bing |
| Grandmothers | Althea |
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| Nephews | Ben Geller |
| Nieces | Emma Geller-Green |
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Monica E. Geller is a fictional character, one of the six main characters who appear in the American sitcom Friends. Created by show creators David Crane and Marta Kauffman, and portrayed by actress Courteney Cox, Monica appears in each of the show's 236 episodes, from its premiere on September 24, 1994 to its finale on May 6, 2004. A chef known for her cleanliness, competitiveness and obsessive-compulsive nature, Monica is the younger sister of Ross and best friend of Rachel, the latter of whom she invites to move in with her after Rachel forsakes her own wedding. The two characters spend several years living together as roommates until Monica becomes romantically involved with neighbor Chandler, whom she marries. Unable to conceive children on their own, the couple eventually adopts twins and moves out of their apartment into a larger house in the suburbs to raise their growing family.
The creators' first choice for the role of Monica was comedian Janeane Garofalo. Cox had originally been offered the role of Rachel, but declined in favor of playing the character's best friend Monica because she was drawn to her strong personality. Meanwhile, the role of Rachel went to actress Jennifer Aniston, Cox's co-star to whom the role of Monica had originally been offered. Before Friends aired, Monica's characterization was greatly debated among writers in regards to the character sleeping with a man on their first date during the pilot. Kauffman in particular greatly defended Monica, arguing with NBC executive Don Ohlmeyer over whether or not this would make the character too promiscuous. Ultimately, the episode aired unchanged after the studio surveyed the audience, the results of which returned in favor of Monica's existing storyline. The character struggles with childhood obesity and challenges with romantic relationships, and has a complicated relationship with her mother, each of which would become popular staples of the show.
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