Even the most successful celebrities need a little extra help to impress their kids—and for Denise Richards, it took an unexpected throwback to do just that. The well-known actress recently opened up about a heartwarming and humorous moment involving her daughters, Sami, Lola, and Eloise. Despite her decades-long career in film and television, Richards admitted that her children had never shown much interest in her work—until they discovered she had made a guest appearance on Friends, the iconic sitcom they all adore.

While appearing on Live with Kelly and Mark, Richards shared the amusing story of how her daughters’ perception of her changed overnight. For years, they had been largely indifferent to her acting accomplishments. That all shifted when the girls stumbled upon a TikTok clip showing their mom’s memorable Friends cameo. In the episode, Richards famously played Cassie, Ross and Monica’s stunning cousin, who unintentionally turned heads with her flowing hair and undeniable charm.

“They had no idea I was on Friends,” Richards said with a laugh. “Then they saw the clip and were like, ‘Wait—what? Mom, you were on Friends?!’ Suddenly, I was cool.”

This revelation sparked new admiration from her daughters and gave Richards the kind of “mom win” many parents can relate to—when your kids finally see you through a different lens. Despite being a recognizable name in Hollywood with a resume that includes roles in Starship Troopers, Wild Things, and The World Is Not Enough, it took a few seconds of sitcom nostalgia for her daughters to feel impressed. The shift in their attitude reminded Richards, and all of us, that sometimes, kids just need that one “aha” moment to fully appreciate their parents’ past lives before parenthood.

Richards reflected on the moment with humor and sincerity, acknowledging how rewarding it felt to have her daughters take interest in something she had done professionally. “You want your kids to be proud of you,” she said. “But they don’t always see your work the same way the public does. To them, I’m just Mom.”

It’s a scenario that many parents—celebrity or not—can relate to. No matter how accomplished you are, your children often view you solely through the lens of family routines, school pickups, and home life. But every now and then, something clicks, and they get a glimpse into who you were (and still are) outside of being their parent.

Beyond the entertainment value of the story, Richards also opened up about her most cherished role: being a mother. She shares daughters Sami and Lola with her ex-husband Charlie Sheen, and she’s also the proud mom of Eloise, whom she adopted in 2011. Eloise has a rare genetic disorder that causes developmental delays, and Richards has been open about the unique challenges and joys that come with raising a child with special needs.

Raising Eloise has required patience, strength, and unconditional love, and Richards has consistently shown her devotion as a mother. She has made it a priority to ensure all three of her daughters feel supported and valued, regardless of the public scrutiny that often accompanies celebrity life. “Motherhood is everything to me,” she has said in past interviews. “It’s the most important job I’ve ever had.”

In many ways, Richards’ story serves as a beautiful reminder of what truly matters. While professional success can be fulfilling, it’s the love and recognition of our children that often mean the most. Her recent experience with her daughters discovering her Friends cameo is not just a funny anecdote—it’s a reflection of the universal desire parents have to be seen, understood, and appreciated by their kids.

It also underscores the evolving relationship between parents and children as they grow. As kids mature, their perspective broadens. They start to realize that their parents had full lives—careers, accomplishments, dreams—long before they were born. That realization can be powerful and, in some cases, redefine the parent-child bond.

So whether you’re a Hollywood actress or just a parent who once rocked out in a band or ran a marathon, those moments when your children finally see the full picture of who you are can be deeply rewarding.

Denise Richards may have played countless roles in her career, but none compares to the one that matters most: Mom. And now, thanks to a sitcom cameo and a little help from social media, she’s got the cool-mom status to go with it.