Who played Susan Bunch, Carol’s partner, in Friends?

Jessica Hecht played Susan Bunch, Carol’s partner, in Friends.

Susan is introduced in the first episode because she is dating Carol Willick, Ross Geller’s former wife. Ross is initially uncomfortable with the situation, creating the comic conflict that establishes his relationship with both women as they prepare for Ben’s birth.

Hecht returned as Susan in later episodes, including storylines involving Ben’s upbringing and Ross’s attempts to navigate co-parenting. Susan’s direct, confident personality contrasts with Ross’s anxious reactions and gives the early show another recurring source of humor.

Susan and Carol are sometimes treated as interchangeable in casual recollections, but they are separate characters. Jane Sibbett played Carol, while Jessica Hecht played Susan.