Courteney Cox then and now: from ‘Friends' favourite to Hollywood scream queen

Tatler Asia

13-06-2025

Jules Cobb in 'Cougar Town' (2009 to 2015)
Above Her performance in 'Cougar Town' earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical.
Returning to television as a leading lady, Cox starred as Jules Cobb, a wine-loving single mother navigating the complexities of dating in her 40s. Unlike Monica's need for control, Jules embraced life's beautiful chaos with warmth and hilarious relatability. The sitcom provided Cox with a platform to showcase her comedic charm while exploring themes of friendship, family and self-discovery. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical, proving her ability to lead an ensemble cast with grace and impeccable timing. Lucy Spiller in 'Dirt' (2007 to 2008)
Above This drama was a complete departure from her girl-next-door image, exploring the gritty underside of fame. (Photo: IMDB)
In her darkest and most daring role, Courteney Cox transformed into Lucy Spiller, the manipulative and morally complex editor of a celebrity gossip magazine. This FX drama represented a complete departure from her girl-next-door image, exploring the gritty underside of fame and media manipulation. As both star and executive producer, Cox demonstrated her willingness to tackle adult-oriented material while showcasing her dramatic range. The role allowed her to delve into a character obsessed with power and scandal, proving her versatility in psychological storytelling. Pat Phelps in 'Shining Vale' (2022 to 2023)
Above The Starz series required Cox to balance laugh-out-loud moments with genuine psychological terror.
Cox's masterful return to horror-comedy came with Shining Vale, where she portrayed Patricia 'Pat' Phelps, a creatively unfulfilled author grappling with possible demonic possession. This Starz series required her to balance laugh-out-loud moments with genuine psychological terror, showcasing her maturity as an actress capable of carrying genre-bending material. Pat's journey from bestselling 'wild child' author to suburban mother questioning her sanity allowed Cox to explore themes of identity and mental health with depth and nuance, earning critical acclaim for her performance. Lauren Miller in 'Family Ties' (1987 to 1989)
Above This role provided Cox with invaluable experience in sitcom rhythms and character development.
Cox's breakthrough role came as Lauren Miller, the intelligent college girlfriend of Alex P Keaton (Michael J Fox) in the beloved 1980s sitcom. This recurring role established her presence in the TV landscape while demonstrating her burgeoning comedic timing and natural chemistry with established stars. Lauren's driven, academic personality left a lasting impression on viewers and provided Cox with invaluable experience in sitcom rhythms and character development. Meryl in 'Seinfeld' (1994)
Above In this memorable role, Cox delivered classic Seinfeld-ian comedy with perfect timing.
In a delightful deep cut for fans of 90s TV, Cox guest-starred as Meryl in the iconic Seinfeld episode 'The Wife'. Playing Jerry's girlfriend who enthusiastically embraces their fake marriage charade for dry-cleaning discounts, Courteney Cox delivered classic Seinfeldian comedy with perfect timing. This memorable one-episode appearance occurred just as Friends was taking off, creating an iconic crossover moment from the golden age of sitcoms. Her performance demonstrated her comedic versatility in a completely different TV universe.
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