David Schwimmer, 58, is Happy to be a Homebody

You’re at that age where now you are playing the dad of teenagers, where back in the Friends days, Ross was a new dad.

It's interesting you bring that up, because back then I wasn't a dad yet, but playing a dad. And now I am a dad, and I love it. It's the best thing that's ever happened. Even though the kids in this show are slightly older than my kid, I feel like I can tap into something or access something, especially because the characters at this stage are young adults — they're 17, fraternal twins. And so there's that relationship between the father and those kids, me and Cece (played by Jayden Bartels) and Devin (played by Sam McCarthy), that you're trying to give them their own independence, and at the same time, feeling very protective of them.

How are you feeling about getting older?

I'm trying to take care of myself. I feel like I've been really lucky, really grateful for the genes I somehow inherited, and I've got my health and that's all that really matters.

Had you read the R.L. Stine books the series is based on before you got involved in the show?

No, I have to admit. When the books came out, I was already 25, so I didn't grow up with the books. I only discovered them. What was really interesting when I was in initial talks about taking the job, I happened to mention it to some people and they were like, “Oh my god, Goosebumps, you have to do it.” That told me a lot, like how many people love the series.

Have you read any now?

No, I didn't read all 240. But the one that I did read, Stay Out of the Basement, is the one with the dad who's a botanist and starts to change, shall we say. And that I found really fun and inspiring.

Yes,  the botanist you play definitely reminded me of Ross, the paleontologist.

Yeah, the scientist. I always loved science growing up. I thought for a long time I was going to be a doctor. I've also loved plant life and animal life. There is that geeky side of me or nerdy side that can easily slip into loving that job.

People are still watching Friends, whether it’s repeat viewers or a new generation discovering it. Do you ever catch it?

I don't remember the last time I saw it, no. There was a brief moment my kid was into it, but that's gone.

David Schwimmer and Alexandra Holden in Season 6 of "Friends."

Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

What do you like to watch?

I love all kinds of entertainment reality stuff, like [The] Great British Bake Off. I like reality competitions like Top Chef. I kind of enjoy watching people who do something really, really well that I don't know how to do compete against each other, because I find it's an incredible art form. I like a competition series. I really enjoy it. Other than that, House of the Dragon. I watch everything, really.

What's on your plate in the future? You are also a director. Do you want to do some more of that?

The thing about being a parent is, I'm enjoying it so much that taking a directing job, which takes you away sometimes for four months or more, I'm just not that inclined to leave the city. These are the years that I am really enjoying. I've thought about directing again, but I might just wait until my kid's off to college.