MONROE, Mich., Jun 4, 2003 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The characters of America's favorite sitcom, "Friends," love their La-Z-Boy recliners, and now six of their biggest fans do, too! The cast of "Friends," Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer, recently teamed up with La-Z-Boy to design personalized recliners, as part of an effort that raised $125,000 to benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

(Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030421/CGM001 )

"We are proud to support pediatric AIDS research, and are thrilled that these celebrity-designed La-Z-Boy recliners raised so much money for this great cause," said Doug Collier, vice president of marketing for La-Z-Boy. "We hope the top bidders enjoy their distinctive new chairs, which reflect the personal styles of some of America's hottest celebrities and also represent the variety and style of today's La-Z-Boy recliners."

The six television stars created the chairs in conjunction with La-Z-Boy as part of a partnership between the furniture company, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and In Style magazine. The celebrity-designed recliners were available for public auction on eBay from May 12 to 22.

"Partnering with La-Z-Boy and In Style for this fun and meaningful eBay auction has proven to be a great benefit for the foundation," said Kate Carr, president and CEO, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. "We would like to give a special thanks to the entire cast of 'Friends' for their involvement and creative spirit, designing such unique and memorable recliners. The money raised through this project will have a tremendous impact on helping children worldwide lead healthier lives."

Each of the distinctive recliners reflects the personal style of its celebrity designer. Following are brief descriptions of each of the chairs:

    * Jennifer Aniston - The entertaining, club-style recliner designed by
    Aniston is both curvy and contemporary, with two unique arcs that act as
    both the armrests and the legs.

    * Courteney Cox - Cox's design was inspired by the Eames Lounger.  It's a
    stylish and comfortable modern recliner that combines leather and wood.

    * Lisa Kudrow - The charming and classy rocker-recliner designed by Kudrow
    features a distinctive argyle-influenced pattern on its leather back.

    * Matt LeBlanc - LeBlanc's plush and stylish recliner is made in a grand
    scale with a deep seat and black leather cover.

    * Matthew Perry - Covered in Indigo blue velvet, Perry's chic media
    recliner encompasses a clean and contemporary look, as well as side
    storage, a detachable swivel tray and a cup holder.

    * David Schwimmer - The fun and quirky beach ball recliner designed by
    Schwimmer is a spirited, colorful rocking recliner with a matching
    ottoman.

While the "Celebrity Designed" recliners are not available at retail, most of them were inspired by similar La-Z-Boy designs that are. Consumers can find world-famous La-Z-Boy recliners, along with the company's full-line of living room and family furniture at La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries(R), proprietary in-store galleries stores and other fine retailers throughout the country. For more information or to find your closest La-Z-Boy retailer, call 1-800-MAKE A HOME (1-800-625-2466) or visit www.la-z-boy.com .

About the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation continues to build on its unique model of innovative and collaborative scientific research as the leading nonprofit organization committed to ensuring better medical treatments for children, preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, addressing other serious and life-threatening diseases through the Glaser Pediatric Research Network, and creating a healthier future for children worldwide. To learn more about the Foundation and its programs, visit the Foundation's Web site at www.pedaids.org .

About La-Z-Boy

Headquartered in Monroe, Mich., La-Z-Boy is the nation's largest manufacturer of upholstered furniture and the world's leading producer of reclining chairs. The company manufactures a full line of products for the living room and family room, including the company's world-famous recliners, reclining sofas and love seats, sleep sofas, modular furniture and leather upholstery, as well as stationary sofas, love seats and chairs. It is a division of La-Z-Boy Incorporated (NYSE: LZB; PCX), one of the nation's largest furniture manufacturers and marketers.

About In Style

In Style, a celebrity lifestyle magazine, was launched in June 1994 by Time Inc. and within eight years has emerged as one of the most successful magazines on newsstands today. An insider's guide to the lives and lifestyles of the world's most fascinating people, In Style offers a wealth of inspiration and ideas about beauty, fashion, decor, entertaining and charities. In addition, for the last three years, In Style has been number one on the Capell's Circulation Report and for the last seven years has consistently ranked within the top five on Adweek Magazine's prestigious "Hot List." InStyle.com, the most recent extension of the In Style brand, was launched in November 2000. Within the last year, the site has emerged as one of the most successful resources on the internet for celebrity style, fashion and beauty advice, serving more than one million visitors a month.

SOURCE La-Z-Boy Incorporated

Christopher Boniface or Cheryl Tylutki, both for La-Z-Boy,
+1-800-837-7123 or +1-312-565-3900
/Photo:  NewsCom:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030421/CGM001
AP Archive:  http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, +1-888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840

http://www.pedaids.org