Courteney Cox facts for kids
Learn Courteney Cox facts for kids
/images/wk/favicon-16x16.png
Courteney Bass Cox (born June 15, 1964) is an American actress, director, and producer. She rose to international prominence for playing Monica Geller in the NBC sitcom Friends (1994–2004) and Gale Weathers in the horror film franchise Scream (1996–present). Her accolades include a Screen Actors Guild Award, nominations for two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Cox has starred in the NBC sitcom Family Ties (1987–1989), the FX drama series Dirt (2007–2008), the ABC/TBS sitcom Cougar Town (2009–2015) which she also directed, and the Starz horror comedy series Shining Vale (2022–2023). Her film credits include the action fantasy Masters of the Universe (1987), the comedy Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994), the animated comedy Barnyard (2006), the fantasy comedy Bedtime Stories (2008), and the independent drama Mothers and Daughters (2016).

Cox owns the production company Coquette Productions, which was created by Cox and her then-husband David Arquette. She has directed the television drama film TalhotBlond (2012), the black comedy drama film Just Before I Go (2014), and executive produced the game show Celebrity Name Game (2014–2017}.

Early life

Cox was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. She is a daughter of businessman Richard Lewis Cox and Courteney Copeland (née Bass). Cox has two older sisters, Virginia and Dorothy, and an older brother, Richard Jr. Her parents divorced in 1974 and her mother then married businessman Hunter Copeland (uncle to music promoter and business manager Ian Copeland and The Police drummer Stewart Copeland).

After graduating from Mountain Brook High School, Cox left for Mount Vernon College in Washington, D.C. (now part of George Washington University), but did not complete her architecture course, opting instead to pursue a career in modeling and acting. She has English ancestry.

Career

Early work

Cox worked at video game publisher Bethesda Softworks briefly in the 1980s. She was chosen from a casting call by director Brian De Palma to appear in the 1984 music video for Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark", as the young woman pulled onstage at the St. Paul Civic Center to dance with Springsteen. Her early television work includes a starring role as Gloria Dinallo in the short-lived NBC science-fiction fantasy series Misfits of Science (1985), and guest-starring roles in the ABC comedy-drama series The Love Boat (1986) and the CBS crime drama series Murder, She Wrote (1986). She later had a recurring role as Lauren Miller, the girlfriend of Michael J. Fox's character Alex P. Keaton in the NBC comedy series Family Ties (1987–1989). Cox's early film roles include Masters of the Universe (1987), Cocoon: The Return (1988), and I'll Be Home for Christmas (1988). She also played Jewel Jagger, the tough-as-nails assistant of Larry Burrows (James Belushi), in Mr. Destiny (1990).

1990s: International breakthrough

In 1993, Cox co-starred in the short-lived CBS sitcom The Trouble with Larry, alongside Bronson Pinchot and Perry King. The following year, shortly before the debut of the sitcom Friends, Cox starred alongside Jim Carrey in the comedy film Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, and as Jerry Seinfeld's girlfriend, Meryl, in the Seinfeld episode "The Wife".

In 1994, Cox was asked to audition for the starring role of Rachel Green on a new sitcom, Friends; she was cast as Monica Geller instead. At first the most famous cast member of the new show, Cox joined Jennifer Aniston (Rachel Green), Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe Buffay), Matt LeBlanc (Joey Tribbiani), Matthew Perry (Chandler Bing) and David Schwimmer (Ross Geller) for what became her most famous role, lasting for ten seasons until 2004. The series is commonly referred to as one of the greatest of all sitcoms. According to the Guinness Book of World Records (2005), Cox (along with her female co-stars) became the highest-paid TV actress of all time, with her US$1 million-per-episode fee for the final two seasons of Friends. Syndication of the series earned Cox and her co-stars an estimated $20 million in annual residuals. In 1995, she was cast in Toad the Wet Sprocket's music video "Good Intentions". The song was also featured on the Friends soundtrack.

Between seasons five and six, she married David Arquette and consequently changed her name to Courteney Cox Arquette. A joke reference to this is made in the opening credits of the episode "The One After Vegas", where the rest of the cast has "Arquette" added to their names. The dedication "For Courteney and David, who did get married" – a reference to Monica and Chandler's decision not to marry in the episode – appears during the fade out to the tag scene.

Cox received further recognition and critical acclaim for her starring role as reporter Gale Weathers in the high-profile slasher horror film Scream (1996), and its sequels Scream 2 (1997) and Scream 3 (2000). The series is one of the highest grossing and critically acclaimed horror franchises of all time. Cox's character was well known for her "snappy remarks and being brilliantly bossy". She met her future husband, David Arquette, who played her on-screen love interest, Dwight "Dewey" Riley, while filming the first Scream film. Cox also hosted an episode of the variety sketch series Saturday Night Live in July 1995, and appeared in the crime thriller film The Runner (1999).

2000s: Continued success

Cox's major films during this period include the crime drama 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001) and the comedy The Shrink Is In (2001). In late 2003, Cox and Arquette produced one season of the reality television series Mix It Up. The lifestyle series, which aired on the WE cable channel, struggled with low ratings and was not renewed for a second season. After the conclusion of Friends, Cox was producer Marc Cherry's first choice to be offered a starring role as Susan Mayer on Desperate Housewives, but Cox was unavailable due to her pregnancy and the role later went to Teri Hatcher. A few years later, Cox signed a deal with ABC Studios (formerly Touchstone Television) to star in her own series.

She starred in the independent drama film November (2005), which had a limited theatrical release. She had a cameo appearance in the big-budget remake The Longest Yard (2005) as Lena, the girlfriend of Paul Crewe (Adam Sandler), and co-starred with Tim Allen in the critically derided Zoom (2006). Cox voiced Daisy the Cow in the animated film Barnyard (2006). A Friends reunion film was rumored to be in production following the success of Sex and the City (2008), but this was later denied by Warner Bros. and others.

Cox starred as Lucy Spiller, a cynical tabloid editor, in the FX television drama series Dirt, which premiered in 2007. Cox and her then-husband David Arquette were the executive producers of the series. The series was eventually canceled after the second season in 2008. In July 2008, Entertainment Weekly announced that Cox signed on to star in a three-episode arc for the television medical comedy series Scrubs. Also that year, she starred in the fantasy comedy film Bedtime Stories, reuniting with co-star Adam Sandler. She went to executive produce the short drama film The Butler's in Love, directed by David Arquette.

Cox guest-starred in a three-episode story arc on former Friends co-star Lisa Kudrow's web comedy series Web Therapy (2009). Also in 2009, she began her role as the star of the single-camera ABC comedy series Cougar Town, playing a newly single 40-year-old mother on the hunt for new experiences. It is notably Cox's most successful work since Friends, earning her a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy. The series' third season was set to premiere in November 2011, but moved to February 14, 2012. Cox directed two episodes of the series' fifteen episodes that season. The fourth season premiered on January 8, 2013. The series came to an end on March 31, 2015, after six seasons.

2010s: Directorial debut and expansion

Cox reprised her role as Gale Weathers from the Scream trilogy for the sequel Scream 4. The film was released in theaters on April 15, 2011. She made her directorial debut and had a cameo appearance in a Lifetime television drama film TalhotBlond, which premiered on the network on June 23, 2012.

In 2014, Cox directed and produced the black comedy film Just Before I Go, starring Seann William Scott and Elisha Cuthbert. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 24, 2014, and it was released in select theaters on April 24, 2015. From 2014 to 2017, she executive produced the syndicated game show Celebrity Name Game, hosted by Craig Ferguson. It ended after three seasons. The series earned her a nomination for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show.

In 2016, Cox starred in the independent drama film Mothers and Daughters, alongside Susan Sarandon, Mira Sorvino, and Sharon Stone. The film was released to generally negative reviews on May 6, 2016. In 2019, she created and executive produced the Facebook Watch documentary series 9 Months with Courteney Cox, which focuses on "people from across the country of various race, religion, and class as they self-document their 9-month journey of pregnancy". It lasted for three seasons until 2021.

2020s: Current work

In 2020, she guest starred in the ABC sitcom Modern Family. Cox reunited with her Friends co-stars for a reunion special titled Friends: The Reunion, which was released on May 27, 2021, on HBO Max. The special earned Cox a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded). In the same year she launched her line of home products, named Homecourt. She also participated in the Celebrity Escape Room special to raise $150,000 for Red Nose Day.

Cox reprised her role as Gale Weathers for the fifth Scream film, which was directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. The film was released on January 14, 2022, to box office success and positive reviews. Also in 2022, she signed on to star alongside Greg Kinnear in the Starz horror comedy series Shining Vale, from creators Sharon Horgan and Jeff Astrof; she plays Patricia "Pat" Phelps, who moves her family "from the 'crazy' of the city to a large, old house in the suburbs where evil and humor collide."

Cox again reprised her role as Gale Weathers for the sixth Scream film, which she also executive produced. The film was released on March 9, 2023, to box office success and positive reviews. Also in 2023, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She is set to executive produce and star as Brittany Wagner in the Spectrum Originals adaptation of the documentary series Last Chance U.

Personal life

Cox dated actor Michael Keaton from 1989 to 1995. Cox married her Scream co-star David Arquette on June 12, 1999, at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. The couple have a daughter, born in June 2004. Jennifer Aniston is the godmother. Cox revealed that she suffered from postpartum depression six months after the birth of her child. On October 11, 2010, Cox and Arquette announced that they had separated, although they still maintain a close friendship and ongoing business relationship in Coquette Productions. In June 2012, Arquette filed for divorce after nearly two years of separation from Cox. The divorce became final in May 2013. Cox began dating Snow Patrol band member Johnny McDaid in late 2013. The couple announced their engagement in June 2014. Soon afterward they called off the engagement, but they have remained a couple.

In 2020, Cox said that she did not remember much about the episode plots of Friends and that she had begun binge-watching the show. Cox is a practitioner of Budokan karate. According to Jack Black on Celebrity Escape Room, she knows how to tell time.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes 1987 Down Twisted Tarah Masters of the Universe Julie Winston 1988 Cocoon: The Return Sara 1990 Shaking the Tree Kathleen Mr. Destiny Jewel Jagger 1991 Blue Desert Lisa Roberts 1992 The Opposite Sex and How to Live with Them Carrie Davenport 1994 Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Melissa Robinson 1996 Scream Gale Weathers 1997 Commandments Rachel Luce Scream 2 Gale Weathers 1999 The Runner Karina 2000 Scream 3 Gale Weathers 2001 3000 Miles to Graceland Cybil Waingrow The Shrink Is In Samantha Crumb Also executive producer Get Well Soon Lily Charles 2004 November Sophie Jacobs 2005 The Longest Yard Lena Uncredited 2006 Barnyard Daisy the Cow (voice) Zoom Marsha Holloway The Tripper Dog Lover Hippie Also executive producer 2008 Alien Love Triangle Alice Short film Bedtime Stories Wendy The Butler's in Love N/A Short film; executive producer 2011 Scream 4 Gale Weathers-Riley 2012 Got Rights? Celebrity Short film 2014 Just Before I Go N/A Director and producer 2016 Mothers and Daughters Beth 2020 You Cannot Kill David Arquette Herself Documentary film 2022 Scream Gale Weathers 2023 Scream VI Gale Weathers Also executive producer

Television

Year Title Role Notes 1984 As the World Turns Bunny Episode: "1.5000" 1985 Code Name: Foxfire Flight Attendant / Amy 2 episodes 1985–1986 Misfits of Science Gloria Dinallo Main role 1986 The Love Boat Carol Episode: "Daredevil / Picture Me a Spy / Sleeper" Sylvan in Paradise Lucy Apple Television film Murder, She Wrote Carol Bannister 2 episodes 1987 If It's Tuesday, It Still Must Be Belgium Hana Wyskocki Television film I'll Be Home for Christmas Nora Bundy Television film 1987–1989 Family Ties Lauren Miller Recurring role 1989 Roxanne: The Prize Pulitzer Jacquie Kimberly Television film Till We Meet Again Marie-Frederique 'Freddy' de Lancel 2 episodes 1990 Curiosity Kills Gwen Television film 1991 Morton & Hayes Princess Lucy Episode: "Oafs Overboard" 1992 Battling for Baby Katherine Television film Dream On Alisha Episode: "Come and Knock on Our Door..." 1993 The Trouble with Larry Gabriella Easden Recurring role 1994 Seinfeld Meryl Episode: "The Wife" 1994–2004 Friends Monica Geller Main role 1995 Sketch Artist II: Hands That See Emmy O'Conner Television film The Larry Sanders Show Herself Episode: "Larry's Big Idea" Saturday Night Live Herself/Host Episode: "Courteney Cox / Dave Matthews Band" 1999 Happily Every After: Fairy Tales for Every Child Emerald Salt Pork (voice) Episode: "Three Little Pigs" 2000 WCW Monday Nitro Herself Episode: "#5.33" 2003 Mad TV Herself Episode: "#9.3" 2004 Mix It Up N/A 4 episodes; executive producer 2005 Rehab Taylor Kennedy Unsold pilot; also executive producer Dirt Squirrel N/A Television film; executive producer Talk Show Diaries N/A Television film; executive producer The MidNightly News N/A Television film; executive producer 2005–2007 Daisy Does America N/A Executive producer 2007–2008 Dirt Lucy Spiller Main role; also executive producer 2009 Scrubs Dr. Maddox 3 episodes Web Therapy Serena DuVall Web series; 3 episodes 2009–2015 Cougar Town Jules Cobb Main role; also director and executive producer 2011 Web Therapy Serena DuVall Episode: "Psychic Analysis" Private Practice Woman Uncredited; Episode: "Step One" 2012 TalhotBlond Amanda Television film; also director and producer 2013 Go On Talia Episode: "Matchup Problems" Tripaholics N/A Television film; executive producer 2014–2016 ... History Edith Wilson 2 episodes 2014–2017 Celebrity Name Game Herself Also executive producer 2015 Barely Famous Herself Episode: "Favorite Socks" 2016 Charity Case Hailey Unsold pilot; also executive producer Running Wild with Bear Grylls Herself Episode: "Courteney Cox" 2017 Who Do You Think You Are? Herself Episode: "Courteney Cox" Off Camera with Sam Jones Herself Episode: "Courteney Cox" The Gong Show Herself Episode: "Will Arnett / Courteney Cox / Isla Fisher" 2018 Shameless Jen Wagner Episode: "Face It, You're Gorgeous" 2019–2021 9 Months with Courteney Cox Herself / Host Also creator and executive producer 2020 Modern Family Herself Episode: "The Prescott" Celebrity Escape Room Herself Red Nose Day special 2021 Friends: The Reunion Herself Television special; also executive producer 2022–2023 Shining Vale Patricia "Pat" Phelps Main role; also producer TBA Last Chance U Brittany Wagner Main role; also executive producer

Music videos

Year Title Artist Role Notes 1984 "Dancing in the Dark" Bruce Springsteen Young Woman 1994 "Ace Is In The House" Tone Loc Melissa Robinson 1995 "I'll Be There for You" The Rembrandts Monica Geller "Good Intentions" Toad the Wet Sprocket Woman 1996 "A Long December" Counting Crows Woman 2014 "Imagine" (UNICEF: World version) Various Herself 2021 "Courteney Cox" Connor Price Herself 2021 "Right On Time" Brandi Carlile Director

Awards and honors

Accolades

Year Association Category Work Result Ref. 1995 American Comedy Awards Funniest Supporting Female Performer in a Television Series Friends Nominated People's Choice Awards Favorite Performer in a New Television Program Won 1996 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Won 1997 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Television Actress Nominated 1998 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards Favorite Actress – Horror Scream 2 Nominated Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actress Nominated 1999 American Comedy Awards Funniest Supporting Female Performer in a Television Series Friends Nominated Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated 2000 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Television Friends (shared with Jennifer Aniston & Lisa Kudrow) Nominated Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie – Chemistry (shared with David Arquette) Scream 3 Won TV Guide Awards Editor's Choice Award Friends Won 2001 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards Favorite Actress – Horror (Internet Only) Scream 3 Nominated Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Friends Nominated The Stinkers Bad Movie Awards Most Annoying Fake Accent – Female 3000 Miles to Graceland Nominated Worst Supporting Actress Nominated 2002 Golden Raspberry Awards Worst Supporting Actress Nominated Worst Screen Couple (shared with Kurt Russell) Nominated Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Friends Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress – Comedy Nominated 2003 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress – Comedy Nominated 2004 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated 2005 Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie – Hissy Fit The Longest Yard Nominated 2006 The Stinkers Bad Movie Awards Worst Supporting Actress Zoom Nominated TV Land Awards Most Wonderful Wedding (shared with Matthew Perry) Friends Nominated 2007 TV Land Awards Break Up That Was So Bad It Was Good (shared with Michael J. Fox) Family Ties Nominated 2010 Gold Derby Awards Comedy Lead Actress Cougar Town Won Golden Globe Awards Best Actress in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical Nominated The Streamy Awards Best Guest Star in a Web Series Web Therapy Nominated Women's Image Network Awards Actress Comedy Series Cougar Town Nominated 2011 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated Gold Derby Awards Comedy Lead Actress Nominated People's Choice Awards Favorite Television Comedy Actress Nominated 2012 People's Choice Awards Favorite Television Comedy Actress Nominated 2014 People's Choice Awards Favorite Cable Television Actress Nominated 2015 People's Choice Awards Favorite Cable Television Actress Nominated 2017 Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Game Show Celebrity Name Game Nominated 2021 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) Friends: The Reunion Nominated 2022 Saturn Awards Best Actress in a Network or Cable Television Series Shining Vale Nominated 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards Best Fight (shared with Ghostface) Scream VI Won

Honors

1995: Honored as the Female Discovery of the Year by the Golden Apple Awards.

2010: Honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Women's Image Network.

2010: Honored with the Lucy Award by the Women in Film Crystal + Lucy Awards.

2023: Honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

See also