While the 2021 Friends: The Reunion was one of the most lauded and publicized reunions of any American 90s sitcom ensemble, with the group reuniting reunited on television following the 2005 conclusion, one cast member felt especially mistreated and undesired. Fans of NBC’s most popular comedy to date, Friends, had one request: that the ensemble members reconvene one final time. However, it was not what die-hard fans anticipated since the performers declined to reprise their roles in any future projects. The ensemble reunited for a televised reunion special, reminiscing about their favorite memories from their time on the show.
Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc, and Lisa Kudrow appeared in a reunion special that aired on HBO Max in May. There were also visits by superstars Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga, among others.
Picture this:
The year is 2002, it’s Thursday night, and you rush home to catch the latest episode of Friends. Now get ready for it to happen all over again. Friends: The Reunion is streaming May 27 on HBO Max. #FriendsReunion pic.twitter.com/1ZrHq4HxSM
— HBO Max (@hbomax) May 19, 2021
Another unexpected guest appearance was that of Larry Hankin, who portrayed Mr. Heckles and appeared in five episodes until his character was killed off during the second season. Hankin shockingly revealed disturbing and depressing behind-the-scenes details about the reunion.
What did you think of Larry Hankin’s Friends: The Reunion?
According to reports, in a virtual interview, Friends actor Larry Hankin (Mr. Heckles) said that he was treated unfairly on the set of Friends: The Reunion. When questioned about his involvement and attendance at the special event, Hankin indicated that he felt unwelcome and concluded that the producers did not want him present for the special reunion.
He reasoned that the producers’ wish to have only big performers was the cause for their rejection of him. Claiming this, he went on to explain that the people working on the reunion were not on the successful program all those years ago and hence were unfamiliar with him. He further said that the producers felt no need to involve him. Hankin went on to explain that he remembers the producers approaching him at the last minute to attend the reunion special with a financial offer that he believed was inadequate.
Despite the actor’s first refusal, the team later phoned back and offered him a better contract, which he accepted. Nonetheless, when he got on site, he was taken aback by the partial treatment and disdain. Hankin said, remembering the incident, that he was not permitted to meet the rest of the Friends ensemble.
“They wouldn’t allow me to speak with anybody. And they took me upstairs to a dressing room and told me, ‘Go there and wait [until] we want you to come down and appear on the program.'”
The actor even claimed that he was barred from viewing the concert and was ejected soon after his performance. Larry Hankin, disheartened and enraged, stated:
“As a result, I’m furious with the folks who orchestrated the Friends reunion.”
Mr Heckles #FriendsReunion 😁 pic.twitter.com/1RyIzl8gz8
— Yvonne ❌❌❌6 (@yvdk1) May 28, 2021
Kevin S. Bright, Marta Kauffman, and David Crane, who served as producers on the original NBC program, led the crew for the special reunion. They reprised their roles for the occasion. Ben Winston, who did not appear in the original series, served as producer and director for the reunion.
Mr. Heckles, played by Larry Hankin, was Rachel and Monica’s unpleasant and frightening downstairs neighbor. The 80-year-old actor’s role was known as “Old Man Heckles” and featured in just five episodes of Friends, but he left an impression on all Friends fans.
