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The Character We Never Get To See In A Single Friends Episode

It seems there's no end to the enthusiasm and curiosity surrounding the NBC hit series "Friends." Since the show premiered in September 1994, fans haven't been able to get enough of the show, as evidenced by its enduring popularity, the demand for a movie or revival, and the effusive reaction to long-awaited "Friends: The Reunion," that debuted on HBO Max in May 2020.

Jennifer Aniston, Matthew Perry, Courtney Cox, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, and Matt LeBlanc comprise the "Friends" main cast. The series also lured in the likes of Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Christina Applegate, Kathleen Turner, Reese Witherspoon, Susan Sarandon, Paul Rudd, and many other Hollywood A-listers to appear in guest or recurring roles. The series also features a colorful cast of supporting characters, including Central Perk manager Gunther (the late James Michael Tyler), Chandler's on-and-off-again girlfriend Janice (Maggie Wheeler), and Rachel and Monica's disgruntled downstairs neighbor, Mr. Heckles (Larry Hankin).

Interestingly, there is one character on "Friends" whose name pops up frequently during the first five seasons but whom fans never get to see, at least not in all of his full-frontal glory.

Ugly Naked Guy made two brief, in-the-buff appearances on Friends

The infamous "Friends" character Ugly Naked Guy inhabits the apartment across the street from Monica's (Courteney Cox).  Although our favorite friends mention the character throughout the first five seasons, he only appears in the flesh (and only from behind) in two episodes. Ugly Naked Guy is introduced in Season 3, Episode 8, "The One With The Giant Poking Device" (via IMDb). In the episode, the six friends fashion a long pole out of chopsticks they use to poke the man's stomach to confirm he's alive. However, only Ugly Naked Guy's torso and arms are visible.

The character returns in Season 5, Episode 14, "The One Where Everybody Finds Out" (via IMDb). Ross (David Schwimmer) learns Ugly Naked Guy is subletting his apartment. Hoping to gain an advantage over the other applicants, he devises a plan that involves him showing up at Ugly Naked Guy's, with the character greeting Ross at the door. Ugly Naked Guy's bare shoulders are visible to the audience, and he's seen holding a monster-sized beverage. Later, the gang spots Ugly Naked Guy hanging out with a new friend: a naked Ross. The 1999 episode marks the last appearance of the character. Although Ugly Naked Guy is visible in these two episodes, "Friends" viewers never see his face. He is also mentioned in additional episodes, but doesn't physically appear. 

In 2016, Huffington Post senior staff writer Todd Van Luling's chronicled his long and arduous quest to uncover the identity of the uncredited actor who plays the character. It was rumored that Michael Hagerty, who plays apartment superintendent Mr. Treeger was also Ugly Naked Guy, but Van Luling debunked the theory. Luling finally learned the actor who immortalized Ugly Naked Guy is Jon Haugen.