Patty Lin, a former writer for the hit TV series Friends, has shared a heartwarming memory from her time on the show, highlighting actor David Schwimmer’s kindness as a standout moment.
Lin, who also contributed to shows like Freaks and Geeks, Breaking Bad, and Desperate Housewives, recently published her memoir titled “End Credits: How I Broke Up With Hollywood,” where she reflects on her experiences in the entertainment industry, including her stint on Friends during its seventh season. The iconic sitcom aired from 1994 to 2004.
In her memoir, Lin candidly discusses the challenges she faced while working on the series, describing how some of the lead actors, including Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, and Matthew Perry, appeared dissatisfied with being tied to what they saw as an aging show.
Despite the overall difficulties she encountered, Lin did highlight a touching moment involving David Schwimmer, who portrayed Ross Geller, a paleontologist on the show.
Lin recalled a specific incident on set during the season seven episode titled “The One With All the Candy.” She had been working as an extra on the series, and Schwimmer, who was also directing the episode, approached her with a request.
“David Schwimmer, who was directing the episode, came over to give instructions. ‘Patty, can you scooch closer to the door?’” Lin recounted in her memoir.
This simple act of addressing her by name left a profound impact on Lin. She expressed her delight, noting, “I scooched, thrilled that instead of saying, ‘Hey, you,’ Schwimmer addressed me by name… Really, it takes so little for a celebrity to seem like a decent person.”
Lin went on to describe Schwimmer’s gesture of remembering her name as “the highpoint of my Friends experience,” adding, “For once, I felt like I had something to do with the show.”
In her memoir, Lin also shared some of the challenges she faced as a writer and described experiencing imposter syndrome, a common feeling among racial minorities in fields lacking representation. She discussed the pressure she felt to represent her entire race in the predominantly non-diverse industry.
She acknowledged that Friends was a well-established show when she joined, making her experience more challenging. While her time on the sitcom didn’t teach her much, it became one of her most recognizable credits in her career.
Lin’s memoir offers a unique perspective on the behind-the-scenes dynamics of one of television’s most beloved series and the lasting impact of small acts of kindness in the entertainment industry.
