Who co-created the sitcom Friends with David Crane?

Marta Kauffman co-created the sitcom Friends with David Crane.

Kauffman and Crane developed the series for Warner Bros. Television, working with executive producer Kevin S. Bright. The show premiered on NBC in 1994 and followed six friends living in New York City. Its ensemble format grew from the creators’ interest in friendship as a central family-like relationship.

Kauffman and Crane had already collaborated on television projects before Friends, including Dream On. Their partnership continued after Friends through projects such as Veronica’s Closet and Episodes. Kauffman later became especially associated with the Netflix comedy-drama Grace and Frankie.

A common mix-up is identifying only one creator. Friends is officially credited as created by both Kauffman and Crane, while Bright was an important producer rather than the show’s co-creator. Kauffman’s name is also sometimes confused with that of actress Courteney Cox, who played Monica Geller.