Born in New York and raised in Los Angeles, Schwimmer was encouraged by a high school instructor to attend a summer program in acting at Northwestern University. Inspired by that experience, he returned to Northwestern where he received a bachelor's degree in speech/theater. In 1988, along with seven other Northwestern graduates, he co-founded Chicago's Looking glass Theatre Company.

Born on his mother's birthday.

Graduated from Northwestern University.

(1998-present) Dating actress Mili Avital (they met on the set of Kissing a Fool (1998)).

Along with best friend & fellow actor Joey Slotnick, he helped found the Lookingglass Theater Company, based in Chicago, IL.

Both his parents, Colman-Schwimmer, Arlene and Authur Schwimmer, had small parts in Since You've Been Gone (1998) (TV).

Before "Friends" (1994) Schwimmer competed against high-school friend Jonathan Silverman and actor Jon Cryer for a role in the TV pilot "Couples." Silverman won the role opposite Helen Slater, but ABC passed on the show. The producers later reconceived the show for singles and sold it to NBC as "Friends" (1994) in which Schwimmer was the first actor to be cast.

(April 2000) Called up a London talk show to deny false claims that cast members of Friends (1994) were demanding $1,000,000 each per episode.

Has worked extensively on the stage both as actor and director

Is on the board of directors of the Rape Foundation for the Rape Treatment Center of Santa Monica

Dated Australian singer/actress Natalie Imbruglia.

Split up from Mili Avital in November 2001