The Unbreakable Bond: Unveiling the Surprising Secrets Behind Zach Braff & Donald Faison’s Epic Real-Life Friendship

Summary

Zach Braff and Donald Faison's friendship extends beyond the screen, as they have remained close friends for over two decades.

Braff and Faison, former roommates in real life, continue to reside close to one another, showcasing their enduring off-screen bond. They have collectively ventured into podcasting with the creation of "Fake Doctors, Real Friends," where they revisit and engage in discussions about Scrubs episodes.

Despite Scrubs ending over a decade ago, Zach Braff and Donald Faison's friendship has only grown stronger. The recent 2022 ATX TV Festival brought much excitement as the central cast members, including Braff and Faison, reunited for a panel. Show creator Bill Lawrence shared news that a series reboot is highly likely in the future, although fans should not expect a tenth season due to busy schedules. Instead, a movie or single-episode special is on the horizon. Regardless, the possibility of seeing JD, Turk, Elliot, Carla, and Dr. Cox together on screen again is incredibly promising.

The success of shows like Scrubs often hinges on the relationships between characters, and JD and Turk's bromance was undeniably beloved. It can be disappointing for audiences to learn that the actors behind these friendships often don't maintain a close bond after the show ends. However, this is not the case for Zach Braff and Donald Faison, who portray JD and Turk. For the past two decades, they have consistently demonstrated the true bromance that audiences adore, both on and off screen.

10 Zach Braff & Donald Faison Are More Than Just Friends

In Scrubs, Turk and JD crossed paths during their time in college and quickly formed an unbreakable bond, as if it was meant to be. In reality, Zach Braff and Donald Faison's fateful encounter took place during the table reading for the initial episode of the Scrubs series. Faison candidly shared in an interview that the moment they met evoked the same electrifying sensation he experienced when meeting his wife for the first time, stating, "He truly is my closest companion, and I wholeheartedly mean that." Faison further revealed that even to this day, he experiences bouts of envy whenever he spots Braff alongside other celebrities, igniting a personal feud with Ed Sheeran because of it.

9 Zach Braff & Donald Faison Started A Podcast Together

During the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals were forced to stay apart from their loved ones. However, Zach Braff and Donald Faison found a way to make the most of the situation. They joined forces (virtually) to create a rewatch podcast series known as Fake Doctors, Real Friends. This popular series continues to release new episodes on a weekly basis. In each episode, the dynamic duo watches episodes of Scrubs and provides insightful commentary about memorable scenes, their experiences with fellow actors, and much more. Their hilarious banter, combined with the nostalgic factor of Scrubs, makes this podcast an absolute must-listen.

8 Zach Braff & Donald Faison Paired Up For A Superbowl Ad

If viewers missed out on the Fake Doctors, Real Friends podcast, chances are they caught the 2022 T-Mobile Super Bowl commercial. The commercial featured a reunion of Zach Braff and Donald Faison, who portrayed pretend neighbors. This ad quickly became the second most-watched Super Bowl commercial on YouTube, thanks to the undeniable chemistry of the beloved Scrubs duo. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Braff expressed his desire to live next door to Faison and have leisurely chats on their front porches. This concept truly encapsulated the deep bond between these close friends.

7 Zach Braff & Donald Faison Were Real-Life Roommates

When JD and Turk weren't saving lives at Sacred Heart Hospital, they occupied themselves with peculiar games or trained their stuffed dog, Rowdy. Their dynamic as roommates appeared enjoyable, but it turns out that Zach Braff and Donald Faison were real-life roommates. Once the first season of Scrubs had concluded, Braff and Faison had to move to New York City for the summer due to other work commitments. In an interview with GQ, Faison revealed that they decided to share a rental to save money and spent the majority of the summer playing ping pong in their underwear.

6 Zach Braff & Donald Faison Currently Live Only Streets Away From Each Other

5 Zach Braff & Donald Faison Aren't Afraid Of Physical Affection

Instead of conforming to the typical dynamics seen on screen in the early 2000s, Turk and JD had a unique and special relationship. While both characters expressed their interest in women, they didn't shy away from showing physical affection towards each other. In fact, JD's fantasies on Scrubs often brought them closer than some of the couples on the show. This contributed to their reputation as the most remarkable bromance on television, and their real-life dynamic mirrors this as well. In an interview with GQ, Faison shared, "I believe we demonstrated to guys that it's completely acceptable to be a little sensitive. It's perfectly fine for buddies to say 'I love you.'"

4 Zach Braff & Donald Faison Once Pranked Braff On Punk'd

In 2005, actors Zach Braff and Donald Faison made an appearance on the MTV show Punk'd. Faison played a prank on Braff, pretending that a group of teenagers had vandalized Braff's new car with spray paint. Although the episode was comical, it provided insight into the depth of the friendship between the two co-stars. Years later, during an interview on The Graham Norton Show, Braff revealed that the audience hadn't witnessed the full extent of the prank. Faison had executed it so well that Braff was on the verge of confronting the "vandals" (who were actually actors) with physical force, giving them a proper "pummeling."

3 Zach Braff & Donald Faison Got Married At Zach Braff's House

Donald Faison is married to Cacee Cobb, and it appears that Braff has been involved in every aspect of their relationship, much like how JD was always intertwined with Turk and Carla's relationship. They first crossed paths in 2005 at Braff's 30th birthday celebration, and in 2012, the couple exchanged vows in a breathtaking rustic-themed wedding held in Braff's own backyard. Captured moments displayed on Martha Stewart's website reveal the joyous couple with Braff right by their side on their special day. From that point forward, Faison and Cobb have welcomed two children into their lives, both of whom have Braff as their godfather.

2 Zach Braff & Donald Faison Want To Make A Buddy-Cop Movie Together

In 2014, Donald Faison participated in a Reddit AMA (which was briefly taken over by Braff). During the AMA, Faison was asked about his desired co-star in a buddy-cop movie, as if it weren't obvious. After regaining control from Braff, Faison mentioned, "ZB for the win. We've actually discussed this. By the way, I'm the one typing now." While it may be challenging to imagine Braff and Faison as characters other than JD and Turk, a buddy-cop-themed episode in a reboot series of Scrubs could perfectly align with the show's tone.

1 Zach Braff & Donald Faison's Relationship Changed Scrubs' Direction

Scrubs could have had a completely different look if Zack Braff and Donald Faison hadn't formed such a close friendship. In fact, it's possible that the show wouldn't have achieved the same level of success. Braff reveals that the evolution of the show was heavily influenced by his real-life bromance with Faison (via Mr. Porter). Braff explains, "Initially, the pilot wasn't aiming to explore themes of masculinity, but it ended up doing so because Don and I embody aspects that were traditionally associated with femininity. The show began to challenge societal norms." It was this bond between Braff and Faison that captured the hearts of fans and contributed to the show's triumph.