The Controversy Behind Friends' Monkey & David Schwimmer: Shocking Details Revealed!

Marcel the Monkey, the white-headed capuchin monkey from Friends, stole the spotlight in every episode he appeared in. Despite the controversy surrounding David Schwimmer, who portrayed Ross on the show, Marcel's comedic presence was undeniable. However, beyond the on-screen entertainment, Marcel brought depth to Ross' storyline from the very beginning.

Since its premiere, Friends consistently gave Ross weightier storylines compared to the other main characters. This trend continued throughout the series, resulting in some of the most sorrowful moments on the show belonging to Ross. By introducing the monkey into the mix, Friends injected much-needed humor into Ross' challenging circumstances. Marcel's story beautifully concluded with a mixture of melancholy and satisfaction.

Interestingly, the animosity between Schwimmer and the monkey has lingered for over a decade, contrasting sharply with Marcel's storyline that came full circle. Despite the show's official conclusion in 2004, the discord surrounding Schwimmer and the Friends monkey has endured, creating an intriguing juxtaposition to Marcel's character arc.

The Monkey From Friends Was Ross' Pet

Ross discovers that his wife, Carol, is a lesbian and leaving him at the beginning of Friends. In order to combat his loneliness following the divorce, Ross decides to adopt a white-headed capuchin monkey as a pet. The monkey, named Marcel, makes his first appearance in Season 1, Episode 10, titled "The One With The Monkey." Ross introduces his friends to Marcel and brings him along to Monica's New Year's Eve party. Initially, Ross and Marcel struggle to establish a bond, causing Ross to feel upset. However, their relationship gradually strengthens over time, and Ross discovers that Marcel has a fondness for the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight."

In Season 1, Episode 21, titled "The One With The Fake Monica," Marcel reaches sexual maturity, which prompts Ross to find him a new home. He arranges for Marcel to be placed in the San Diego Zoo, where the monkey later becomes an animal actor in Season 2. When Marcel briefly returns to New York City to shoot a project, Ross gets the opportunity to spend a day with him. As the characters in Friends navigate romantic relationships and start their own families, they form a close-knit found family. Marcel's departure from Ross due to his growth foreshadows the changes and challenges that the friend group will face in future seasons.

The Monkey Trainer From Friends Clapped Back At David Schwimmer's Negative Comments

Marcel, the monkey, was portrayed by two female capuchin monkeys named Katie and Monkey in the eight episodes of Friends. Although Monkey has passed away, Katie continued to appear on shows like The Loop and 30 Rock. In 1995, during the airing of Friends, Schwimmer confessed to Entertainment Weekly that he disliked acting alongside the monkey due to the strict control exerted by the animal trainers on set. In Max's Friends: The Reunion, Schwimmer reiterated his displeasure and elaborated on the complications and time-consuming nature of working with a live animal in a sitcom.

However, Mike Morris, the animal trainer for Friends, had a different perspective. In an interview with The Sun, Morris criticized Schwimmer, labeling him as "despicable" and suggesting that he was "jealous" of Marcel's popularity with fans and the laughter he generated. Interestingly, not all actors shared Schwimmer's negative experience. During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2019, Matt LeBlanc, who played Joey on Friends, expressed his fondness for Marcel, stating, "I actually liked the monkey! I adore animals. The monkey was really awesome."