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Whether on-screen or off-screen, relationships are a lot of work. But through the endless challenges, hilarious dramas, and even serious arguments, TV couples manage to pull through (well, some of the time!) and, in the end, they become such a deep part of pop culture we sometimes even forget that the actors aren’t always together in real life.

David Schwimmer and Jennifer Aniston? Courtney Cox and Matthew Perry? Please! It’s Ross and Rachel and Monica and Chandler, now and forever. (If you haven’t noticed, I’m a big fan of ‘Friends’ and I hope you are, too.) Bored Panda has collected some of the most iconic TV couples and compared the photos to those of how the actors look now. Have a scroll through the pictures and remember to upvote your fave ones.

Celebrity and pop-culture expert Mike Sington, known as Hollywood's Ultimate Insider, told Bored Panda that chemistry is what makes an iconic TV (and movie!) couple iconic. "It’s no different than in real life. It’s that certain something you see between a couple. You can’t define it, but you know when it’s there. It gives you a ‘feel good’ reaction that makes you want to wrap yourself in that couple’s story, and it never gets old." Check out our full interview with Mike below.

#1

X-Files Mulder & Scully (David Duchovny And Gillian Anderson)

X-Files Mulder & Scully (David Duchovny And Gillian Anderson)

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Toasty
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Geez, for some reason this makes me feel really, really old.

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    #2

    Friends, Monica & Chandler (Courtney Cox And Matthew Perry)

    Friends, Monica & Chandler (Courtney Cox And Matthew Perry)

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    Celeb expert Mike loves the original silver-screen sweethearts Rose and Jack from 'Titanic': "My pick for the most famous on-screen couple is Rose and Jack from ‘Titanic’. You became invested in their relationship from the start, even though you knew it was doomed (spoiler alert: the ship sinks). And millions watched their love story over and over again, which carried ‘Titanic’ on to become one of the biggest movies of all time, making Rose and Jack the most famous on-screen couple of all time."

    #3

    Modern Family, Cam & Mitch (Eric Stonestreet And Jesse Tyler Ferguson)

    Modern Family, Cam & Mitch (Eric Stonestreet And Jesse Tyler Ferguson)

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    #4

    Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Buffy And Angel (Sarah Michelle Gellar And David Boreanaz)

    Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Buffy And Angel (Sarah Michelle Gellar And David Boreanaz)

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    Mike explained that it's far easier for movie actors to branch out and try out new roles than it is for those playing characters in TV series. "Actors who primarily do movies find it much less difficult to spread out and do different roles after making it big as a particular character. The movie audience kind of expects to see them in different roles. It’s much more difficult for a TV actor known for a specific character because the audience has seen them as that character week after week after week."

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    #5

    The Office, Pam & Jim (Jenna Fischer And John Krasinski)

    The Office, Pam & Jim (Jenna Fischer And John Krasinski)

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    #6

    Moonlighting, David & Maddie (Cybill Shepherd And Bruce Willis)

    Moonlighting, David & Maddie (Cybill Shepherd And Bruce Willis)

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    aubergine10003
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would love to rewatch "Moonlighting"..... but I am also wondering if it might not hold up on a rewatch.

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    As for actors aging gracefully, Mike is a big believer in staying natural and embracing the changes that time brings about. Denying the passage of time can harm your career and even drive away the fans! "I’ve said this a million times, and I’ll say it again. The best way to age gracefully is to just age gracefully! Once an actor starts with facial cosmetic work, whether it is surgery or fillers, it physically affects their ability to work as an effective actor. An actor needs natural facial expression, and once that’s altered, it’s almost always noticeable and can actually end a career."

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    #7

    Game Of Thrones, Jon Snow & Ygritte (Kit Harington And Rose Leslie)

    Game Of Thrones, Jon Snow & Ygritte (Kit Harington And Rose Leslie)

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    #8

    How I Met Your Mother, Marshall & Lily (Alyson Hannigan And Jason Segel)

    How I Met Your Mother, Marshall & Lily (Alyson Hannigan And Jason Segel)

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    I was also incredibly curious to find out who Mike would vote for as the best couple in 'Friends' if he had to choose between Ross and Rachel vs. Monica and Chandler. "Going to go with Monica and Chandler on this one. It’s so wonderful to start as friends, and have a natural progression into a love story over the arc of the entire series. It would be great for any couple to have the same storyline!" he said and I fully agree with him!

    #9

    Parks And Recreation, Ben & Leslie (Adam Scott And Amy Poehler)

    Parks And Recreation, Ben & Leslie (Adam Scott And Amy Poehler)

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    #10

    Grey's Anatomy, Meredith & Derek (Ellen Pompeo And Patrick Dempsey)

    Grey's Anatomy, Meredith & Derek (Ellen Pompeo And Patrick Dempsey)

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    varwenea
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They are cute too. I wish McDreamy Derek had not wanted to leave the show.

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    Whether or not a couple will be iconic or just ‘meh’ isn’t something that you can predict from the get-go. Sure, you can have focus groups and meetings between producers and actors to flesh out what should be done. But it’s still playing the odds. Whether or not a couple will be famous depends on the audience and how they react to the characters on the screen.

    However, that’s not a reason to be complacent and just rely on luck. When something just clicks together, it’s often because the actors have great chemistry together and work well together like, well, a couple.

    #11

    The Office, Dwight Schrute & Angela Martin (Rainn Wilson And Angela Kinsey)

    The Office, Dwight Schrute & Angela Martin (Rainn Wilson And Angela Kinsey)

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    Sum Guy
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think Dwight actually started taking beets more seriously than paper

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    #12

    How I Met Your Mother, Ted & Robin (Joshas Radnoras And Cobie Smulders)

    How I Met Your Mother, Ted & Robin (Joshas Radnoras And Cobie Smulders)

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    But let’s not leave those amazing writers out in the cold and rain, though! A good script, living, breathing dialogue, and lines oozing with charisma can help build the foundation for realistic or better-than-life relationships for characters. Personally, I believe a mix of a solid script with actors who can make those lines their own is the perfect concoction for magic in front of the cameras.

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    It’s become almost a cliche that some on-screen couples later become romantically involved in real life, too! That doesn’t mean that all actors will inevitably couple-up. However, it does prove that the chemistry on the stage and the emotional links between the actors can develop into genuine feelings for one another, given enough time.

    #13

    Friends, Rachel & Ross (Jennifer Aniston And David Schwimmer)

    Friends, Rachel & Ross (Jennifer Aniston And David Schwimmer)

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    Amy Cohen
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don’t love Ross but I have such a crush on David Schwimmer and I’m not sure why.

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    #14

    The Office, Michael Scott & Holly Flax(Steve Carell And Amy Ryan)

    The Office, Michael Scott & Holly Flax(Steve Carell And Amy Ryan)

    StageRightSecrets , imdb Report

    Alas, there’s no stopping the passage of time. However wonderful some of the actors looked in their youth, it’s no surprise that most of them are very different now, so many years later. The key to aging well lies in the very same place as it did for staying healthy while you’re young: taking care of yourself.

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    Through consistent, daily exercise and a healthy diet, you can keep your body toned and ready to tackle the world no matter how old you are. Cutting back on sugar, alcohol, and tobacco is also a great way to keep your body feeling young. Going out into the sun? Remember to put on sunblock to protect your skin.

    #15

    Er, Doug & Carol ( Julianna Margulies And George Clooney)

    Er, Doug & Carol ( Julianna Margulies And George Clooney)

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    #16

    Scrubs J.D. & Elliot Reid (Zach Braff And Sarah Chalke)

    Scrubs J.D. & Elliot Reid (Zach Braff And Sarah Chalke)

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    kjorn
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i loved scrubs!! but i hate the "i love you, i love you not. we are together, we need to break up, i don't love you but you love me..." this really bugs me in tv show. At least in Brooklyn 99 Jack and Amy are together since almost the beginning and never split!

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    It’s not just your body that you have to take care of; it’s your mind as well. While exercise and a good diet will most definitely help your brain, you also need to keep it active and sharp, like a well-honed sword. Reading books, solving puzzles, taking on new hobbies, and having an active social life all slot into this perfectly.

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    However, that also means keeping your mind uncluttered and toning down your social media use. It doesn’t mean becoming a technological hermit and going off it completely (we need it to stay in touch with our loved ones during the pandemic), however, tempting. But it does mean that we need to balance how much time we spend scrolling through Facebook and bombarding ourselves with the 24/7 news cycle instead of going for a walk, reading a quality book, or doing what hobbits do best—gardening.

    #17

    Gilmore Girls, Luke & Lorelai (Scott Patterson And Lauren Graham)

    Gilmore Girls, Luke & Lorelai (Scott Patterson And Lauren Graham)

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    Olivier Caissy
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh right! They hated each other in real life. (Edit, they were the 1st ones on my list in different pics. Still true)

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    #18

    Chuck, Chuck Bartowski & Sarah Walker (Zachary Levi And Yvonne Strahovski)

    Chuck, Chuck Bartowski & Sarah Walker (Zachary Levi And Yvonne Strahovski)

    zacharylevi , Yvonne Strahovski Report

    Naturally, actors tend to have more money and better access to personal chefs and trainers which, in turn, helps them age more gracefully. However, a few wrinkles or gray hairs are nothing to fret about. If you embrace the changes your body is going through, life will become far simpler. It’s all about having the confidence to present yourself to the world as you are: on-screen and off.

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    #20

    Sex And The City, Carrie & Big (Chris Noth And Sarah Jessica Parker)

    Sex And The City, Carrie & Big (Chris Noth And Sarah Jessica Parker)

    sarahjessicaparker , chrisnothofficial Report

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    Jenny Bell
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Actually laughed out loud at how tight SJP's face is. At least Noth is ageing normally

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    Which TV couple is your favorite, dear Pandas? Do you think that Ross and Rachel are a better couple than Monica and Chandler? Who do you think Ted should have ended up with in ‘How I Met Your Mother?’ Which pair of actors do you think aged the most gracefully? Who’s your favorite screen couple of all time, real or animated? We can’t wait to read your comments, so drop us a line and be part of the discussion.

    #21

    Full House, Jesse Katsopoli & Becky Katsopoli (Lori Loughlin And John Stamos)

    Full House, Jesse Katsopoli & Becky Katsopoli (Lori Loughlin And John Stamos)

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    #22

    Parks And Recreation, Andy & April ( Chris Pratt And Aubrey Plaza)

    Parks And Recreation, Andy & April ( Chris Pratt And Aubrey Plaza)

    prattprattpratt , plazadeaubrey Report

    #23

    My So-Called Life, Jordan Catalano & Angela Chase (Jared Leto And Claire Danes)

    My So-Called Life, Jordan Catalano & Angela Chase (Jared Leto And Claire Danes)

    jaredleto , clairedanes Report

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    Bepina
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love this show! Too bad they canceled it right after just one season.

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    #24

    Lost, Jack & Kate (Matthew Fox And Evangeline Lilly)

    Lost, Jack & Kate (Matthew Fox And Evangeline Lilly)

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    #25

    The Vampire Diaries, Damon Salvatore & Elena Gilbert (Ian Somerhalder And Nina Dobrev)

    The Vampire Diaries, Damon Salvatore & Elena Gilbert (Ian Somerhalder And Nina Dobrev)

    iansomerhalder , nina Report

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    the redqueen
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He is the most beautiful eye candy I have ever beheld.........truly. Sigh.....

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    #26

    Game Of Thrones, Grey Worm & Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel And Jacob Anderson)

    Game Of Thrones, Grey Worm & Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel And Jacob Anderson)

    raleighritchie , nathalieemmanuel Report

    #27

    Dawson's Creek, Pacey & Joey, (Katie Holmes And Joshua Jackson)

    Dawson's Creek, Pacey & Joey, (Katie Holmes And Joshua Jackson)

    katieholmes212 , vancityjax Report

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    Lord Mysticlaw
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Joshua Jackson was in Dawson's Creek? I only know him from Fringe. Loved him in it though.

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    #28

    The L Word, Bette & Tina (Jennifer Beals And Laurel Holloman)

    The L Word, Bette & Tina (Jennifer Beals And Laurel Holloman)

    thejenniferbeals , laurelholloman Report

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    Dre Mosley
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The new L word show isn't bad. Tina isn't a regular unfortunately. Don't miss Jen Schecter at all.

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    #29

    Empire, Cookie & Luscious Lyon( Terrence Dashon Howard And Taraji P Henson)

    Empire, Cookie & Luscious Lyon( Terrence Dashon Howard And Taraji P Henson)

    theterrencehoward , tarajiphenson Report

    #30

    90210, David & Donna (Brian Austin Green And Tori Spelling)

    90210, David & Donna (Brian Austin Green And Tori Spelling)

    Verified , brianaustingreen Report

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    #31

    Friday Night Lights, Coach Taylor & Tami (Connie Britton And Kyle Chandler)

    Friday Night Lights, Coach Taylor & Tami (Connie Britton And Kyle Chandler)

    connie britton , the.kyle.chandler Report

    #32

    Smallville, Clark Kent & Lois Lane (Tom Welling And Erica Durance)

    Smallville, Clark Kent & Lois Lane (Tom Welling And Erica Durance)

    durance.erica , wikipedia Report

    #33

    Sex And The City, Carrie & Aidan (Sarah Jessica Parker And John Corbett)

    Sex And The City, Carrie & Aidan (Sarah Jessica Parker And John Corbett)

    arahjessicaparker Report

    #34

    Shameless, Veronica & Kevin (Steve Howey And Shanola Hampton)

    Shameless, Veronica & Kevin (Steve Howey And Shanola Hampton)

    shanolahampton Report

    #35

    The Mindy Project, Mindy & Danny (Mindy Kaling And Chris Messina)

    The Mindy Project, Mindy & Danny (Mindy Kaling And Chris Messina)

    mindykaling , imdb Report

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    Zena Marsh
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    What is it with men, wanting to grow beards as they get older?

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    #36

    Scandal, Olivia Pope & Fitz (Kerry Washington And Tony Goldwyn)

    Scandal, Olivia Pope & Fitz (Kerry Washington And Tony Goldwyn)

    tonygoldwynOlivia Pope and Fitz, Scandal Report

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    #37

    Pretty Little Liars, Aria & Ezra (Ian Harding And Lucy Hale)

    Pretty Little Liars, Aria & Ezra (Ian Harding And Lucy Hale)

    lucyhale , ianmharding Report

    #38

    Gossip Girl, Chuck & Blair (Ed Westwick And Leighton Meester)

    Gossip Girl, Chuck & Blair (Ed Westwick And Leighton Meester)

    Ed Westwick , Leighton Meester Report

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    #39

    The Vampire Diaries, Stefan Salvatore & Elena Gilbert (Paul Wesley And Nina Dobrev)

    The Vampire Diaries, Stefan Salvatore & Elena Gilbert (Paul Wesley And Nina Dobrev)

    Nina Dobrev , imdb Report

    #40

    Gossip Girl, Dan & Serena (Penn Badgley And Blake Lively)

    Gossip Girl, Dan & Serena (Penn Badgley And Blake Lively)

    Blake Lively , pennbadgley Report