The gift that keeps on giving

David Schwimmer, known for his role in Friendshas long had an interest in horror-comedy, and he finally found the perfect opportunity to explore it in the second season of Goosebumps on Disney+. The actor stars in the anthology episode Disappearancewhere he undergoes a dramatic transformation into a monstrous character, which he describes as a compelling challenge at this stage in his career.

Photo: Disney

He stars in his first major horror role in Goosebumps: The Vanishinga genre he has long been passionate about, but never had the opportunity to explore. “I’ve always been a fan of horror, especially horror action-comedy. The genre is so exciting to me,” he shared. In the show, Schwimmer portrays Anthony Brewer, a botanist who balances family life with his research into a grisly, trauma-filled story. Co-showrunners Hilary Winston and Rob Letterman felt that Schwimmer, known for comedy, was perfect for mixing both humor and horror.

Photo: Disney

speaks to Blackreflects Schwimmer on the intense scrutiny he faced during Friends‘ rise to fame, describing a challenging and dark time, especially followed by paparazzi. “I was lucky I was 27 when I got ‘Friends’ but I kept thinking, oh my god, if I was 16 when this happened… I don’t know how young actors survive that – I do really not – because it’s so jarring and your whole worldview is shaken.”

He says the move to New York after the show ended helped him regain a healthier lifestyle, providing a contrast to the bubble-like environment of LA. Schwimmer acknowledges how difficult it would have been to deal with such fame as a teenager, but emphasizes the support of family and friends helped him cope.

“The relationship with the show itself is kind of the gift that keeps on giving. And what I mean by that, of course, is that it was life-changing at the time — professionally, personally, everything. It was a game changer.”