‘Aged like a fine wine’: ‘Friends’ fans are stunned to see what the actor who played Paolo looks like now

It’s hard to believe that three decades have passed since then. Friends came into our lives for the first time. Since the sitcom is one of most watched series In the history of television, it is sometimes easy to forget that the characters frozen in time on our screens were portrayed by real people 30 years older. Despite the struggle aging in Hollywoodtime has been kind to many members of our Central Perk team and even Friends guest stars, and fans’ jaws dropped after seeing what Cosimo Fusco, the actor who played Paolo, looks like today.

Paolo wasn’t there favorite character on Friends when he first appeared in the first season’s “The One That Blacked Out”. The Italian lothario was one of the first of many, many obstacles that held Ross back (David Schwimmer) and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) separately. Cosimo Fusco only appeared in four episodes, but the scruffiness of his character made him seem like more than that. It also made many fans forget how attractive the actor actually was, and some think he only got better with time:

Cosimo Fusco is interviewed about his guest role on Friends on the Tonight Show. — (Image credit: NBC)

The topic is about how much actor Paolo has aged since he guest starred in one of the best sitcoms of all time became the topic of conversation about Redditwhere someone posted a current photo of Cosimo Fusco and allowed commenters to rant with their reactions, including:

Aged like a fine wine (much better now than in ’94) – MysteriousRadish2063
Now he looks much better! – tantophase
I wasn’t ready to restart the next viewing, but I may have to move it up in my rotation. – JFT8675309
It wouldn’t matter anyway — FrankieSausage
Now we’re talking – to the non-mover
Oh, I just… I just really want to poke that nose really hard. – Super VGA
Much more handsome than Tom Selleck – rattle

I’m not sure I can defend Richard Burke’s slander in that last comment, but let’s just say I definitely understand why Rachel allowed herself to be seduced by Paolo back then. Unfortunately, “shitty weasel” will always remain that way to loyal viewers, and not just to keep Ross in the friend zone a little longer.

Fans remember all too well how Paolo met Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) in the midst of his situation with Rachel, not only in season one when Phoebe gave him a massage (as part of her job), but also when he came over to “play with Raquel” in season two.

Whatever you thought of his character back then, that face is not an unwelcome sight here in 2024. Of course, everyone looks a little different after three decades, and sometimes the inevitability of aging becomes apparent. Friends the stars were also taken aback. For example, Jennifer Aniston gave a priceless reaction to learn that Cole and Dylan Sprouse, who played Ross’s son Ben, are now in their 30s.

If you want to relive your time with Paolo or any of the Friends‘the funniest episodesall 10 seasons are available to stream from Maximum subscription.