27 Years Ago Today, This 10/10 Friends Episode Wrote Out 1 Iconic Character (in Their Second Ever Appearance)

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For ten years, from 1994 to 2004, Friends ruled television as the most popular sitcom. The show launched the careers of its six previously unknown stars – Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer – and created a beloved group of friends that people still watch today. Beyond the main cast’s incredible chemistry, Friends also boasted a memorable supporting cast. Interestingly, one character became surprisingly famous despite only appearing in two episodes and never being seen on screen.

The character known as Ugly Naked Guy was a neighbor across the hall from Rachel and Monica, famous for often being seen naked and generally keeping to himself. He appeared in a memorable episode of Friends, titled “The One Where Everybody Finds Out,” which aired on February 11th, 1999. This was his second and final appearance on the show.

The Legend of Ugly Naked Guy and His Final Appearance on Friends 

The character known as Ugly Naked Guy was a running joke on Friends, often glimpsed by the group while he was relaxing, cooking, dancing, or watching TV in the nude. For a long time, the show didn’t actually show him, letting viewers imagine what he looked like based on how the other characters reacted. Eventually, he became a memorable part of the show’s New York City background, just like other recurring, unseen characters like Phoebe’s roommate Denise or Chandler’s coworker Bob. He was one of the show’s unsung heroes, adding to the vibrant world the creators built.

He remained largely a background joke until Season 3’s “The One with the Giant Poking Device.” Then, he became part of the storyline when the friends used a long stick to check if he was still okay during a heatwave. We only see brief shots of him – his belly while sleeping in a hammock and his hand swatting the stick away.

Considered a highlight of the series, the episode “The One Where Everybody Finds Out” features a memorable appearance by Ugly Naked Guy. Ross, desperate for an apartment, awkwardly befriends him. We see Ugly Naked Guy briefly – just the back of his head as he enjoys a soda while Ross talks. Later, the friends spot him with another naked person, leading to Rachel’s shocked realization that it’s someone they know. As a reward for his efforts, Ross gets the apartment, and Ugly Naked Guy moves out, marking the end of his role on Friends.

Why Ugly Naked Guy Was Uncredited and the Actor’s Identity Kept Secret

For many years, fans didn’t know who the actor playing ‘Ugly Naked Guy’ really was. The show never credited him or showed his face. Because of this, people often mistakenly thought he was Michael Hagerty, who played Mr. Treeger on the show. This assumption came about because the actor’s build and brown curly hair seemed to match the quick shots of Ugly Naked Guy.

For years, people believed actor Hagerty played the recurring character known as Ugly Naked Guy. However, the truth came out in 2016 when Jon Haugen, a background performer, revealed he was the one who appeared on screen in two episodes. He shared in an interview with HuffPost that Warner Bros. asked him to keep his role a secret while Friends was still being broadcast. Haugen also clarified a long-held belief: despite the character’s name, he was never nude during filming.

“The One Where Everybody Finds Out” Is Still a Perfect Episode

The funny scene with Ugly Naked Guy, and how it ends, is just one reason why this Friends episode is so memorable. Many fans consider “The One Where Everybody Finds Out” from Season 5 to be one of the show’s greatest, and possibly the very best.

The episode’s main plot centers on Phoebe discovering Monica and Chandler are secretly dating – she actually sees them together from across the street! This leads to a funny game of cat and mouse, where Phoebe pretends to be interested in Chandler to get him to admit the truth. Monica tries to act like nothing’s happening, and Chandler eventually cracks under the pressure. Lisa Kudrow, Matthew Perry, and Courteney Cox are all fantastic in this episode, delivering some of their best comedic moments. Highlights include the running joke, “They don’t know that we know they know we know,” Chandler’s panic during Phoebe’s attempts to flirt with him, and Ross’ over-the-top reaction to everything.

As a huge fan of the show, I’ve always considered this episode – which is almost 30 years old now – to be one of its absolute best. It consistently shows up on those ‘greatest episodes ever’ lists, and for good reason! It also delivers such a beautiful and fitting farewell to that enigmatic, naked man next door. It just feels…complete.

How would you rank “The One Where Everybody Finds Out” among your favorite Friends episodes? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-12 01:41