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How Ping Pong and Underwear Led to Donald Faison and Zach Braff Becoming BFFs

The Scrubs stars hit it off in a very peculiar way. 

By Jackie Manno

Scrubs alumni Donald Faison (Dr. Turk) and Zach Braff (J.D.) may have been known for their character's bromance during the run of the show, but fans may also know that the two are best buds IRL as well. Better yet, the story behind how they truly clicked is priceless. 

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When Faison was on The Kelly Clarkson Show in early March, he explained that he and Braff hit it off immediately. 

How Donald Faison and Zach Braff became best friends

''The first time I met him was at the table read for Scrubs. And we talked for a little bit, and I was like, 'Wow, we kind of have the same sense of humor.' And after the first season was over, we both went to New York,'' he said, explaining that they were both acting in different shows in the city, and decided to get an apartment together for the summer. 

''I realized he was my best friend when we were in the living room playing ping pong in our underwear. I was like 'You're my best friend! Look at us!''' he said as Kelly Clarkson burst into laughter. 

RELATED: Donald Faison Reveals Why His Teeth Looked So Different in Clueless, Early Scrubs Seasons

Donald Faison and Zach Braff speak onstage during the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California on March 27, 2023.

Donald Faison and Zach Braff reunite with special guest Jason Momoa for a Super Bowl commercial 

For an ad created for 2024 Super Bowl Sunday, Faison, Braff, and Momoa joined forces for a hilarious T-Mobile commercial

In the ad, Faison and Braff convince Momoa to switch to T-Mobile 5G home internet while singing in the tune of ''What a Feeling'' from the 1983 film Flashdance. In a hilarious twist, Momoa shows off his dance moves and douses himself with water, paying homage to the movie. 

In an interview with Variety, Faison, Braff, and Momoa talked about the experience behind filming the advertisement. 

“People are just seeing a different side of me,” said Momoa, who is typically pegged as a dramatic actor. “People reach out and ask me to do some funny stuff.”

Braff also told the outlet that creating a Super Bowl commercial ''has to be bigger and better.''

Donald Faison and Zach Braff pose together at the 2022 Baby2Baby Gala

Faison then talked about what working with Momoa was like. ''He was so fun, so high energy, in such a silly mood like we always are. I think it really shows. It’s kind of like a rock musical in a lot of ways when he jumps on board.'' 

RELATED: Donald Faison Hit Fame in the '90s — See How He's Changed Over the Years

The Extended Family star explained how he and Braff brainstormed the commercial during Faison's appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

''Somehow Zach and I joined up with T-Mobile, and we are creatives on there too, so we help create the commercials also. We pitched this idea with [filmmakers] Andrew Panay and Brian Klugman, and T-Mobile was like, 'Yeah, who's the star? Who's the person that you're gonna have with you?' We were thinking Jason Momoa, and they loved it. And we shot the commercial, and you guys loved it too!'' Faison said.