25 famous actors you didn’t know appeared on Friends

9. Hugh Laurie

Gentleman on the Plane – “The One With Ross’s Wedding (Part 2)” – S4E24

Long before American audiences knew him as Dr. Gregory House, the insufferable but brilliant doctor at the center of the show House, Hugh Laurie was famous in his home country of England.

Laurie was one-half of the comedic duo, Fry and Laurie, with Stephen Fry serving as the other half. Together, Fry and Laurie had a hit sketch comedy show that aired for several seasons in England. Laurie was also cast in several other popular British shows including Black Adder and Jeeves and Wooster.

Because these shows existed way before services like Netflix and Hulu, Friends viewers didn’t recognize him as the passenger sitting on the plane next to Rachel. It was a small role, and he’s credited only as “the gentleman on the plane,” but he was still significant to the plot. Leave it to a total stranger to tell Rachel she’s being ridiculous for traveling all the way to London to tell Ross she still loves him as he’s preparing to marry Emily. “I’m afraid I have to agree with your friend Pheebs,” he tells Rachel. “This is a terrible, terrible plan.” He also tells her that it was very clear that Ross and Rachel were on a break.

Hugh Laurie was just one of many famous Brits to appear during the London episodes of Friends. Sarah Ferguson made a brief appearance as herself and Richard Branson played a street vendor.