Donald Faison Reveals the Secret to His Bromance With Zach Braff

Though fans of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt were devastated by their breakup last week, there is still one union we can count on: the bromance between actors Donald Faison and Zach Braff.

After meeting 15 years ago on the set of Scrubs, Donald and Zach hit it off, and their friendship eventually blossomed into a full-blown bromance. From documenting their vacations on Instagram to their playful banter on Twitter … it’s all part of their unshakeable bond. But just as with most relationships, their bromance is not always easy. So what’s the key to making it work?

“Honesty is the No. 1 thing,” Faison, 42, tells Yahoo Celebrity. “And you’ve gotta be a dude to have a bromance. That’s how bromance works.”

While theirs is considered one of the biggest bromances (if not the biggest bromance) in Hollywood, Faison — who currently appears in a new Cigna ad campaign featuring iconic TV doctors encouraging Americans to get their annual check-up — is well aware that there were many bromances before them.

“I know that we didn’t [originate it],” he states. “It goes back so far. Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello … it goes back.”

So did he and Braff, 41, pattern their bromance after anyone in particular?

“No, it just happened naturally,” Faison shares, noting that a bromance should be an organic experience.

“It has to be real. The only way to have a real bromance is if you’re genuinely fond of each other. [Zach]’s my best friend. I’m really fond of that man, I’m not ashamed to say it. And to the supporters of our bromance, I’d like to say, thank you.”

While the Faison/Braff bromance is certainly aspirational, that doesn’t mean there aren’t occasionally issues to contend with. Namely, Braff’s flaunting of celeb hobnobbing on social media. Ask Faison about this, and his impassioned response comes before you can get your question out.

“I didn’t say he was a loyal bro — I love him, but he ain’t loyal!” he exclaims. “You know those kinds of people where you give and you give, and they just take and take and take? That’s him! Why does he have to throw in my face that he hangs with [Game of Thrones‘s] Jon Snow, you know? All those pictures of him with other people, in my face? Pics of him and Neil Patrick Harris in my face? Why does he have to hang with Jay Z? OK, so you’re hanging with Jay Z — don’t put that on social media! Why do you have to put that on social media? That hurts. He knows how much that hurts me. And then I post on social media the people I hang out with, and he gets upset. I can’t win.”

But still, their love endures — even alongside the loving relationship he shares with his wife, CaCee Cobb. (Says Faison, “She knew what she was getting into when she came into the marriage — I haven’t changed anything!”) In fact, it’s his wife who helps keep their bromance alive. Faison credits her with being his and Braff’s biggest cheerleader.

“I’m bad with e-mails and returning phone calls,” Faison admits. “My wife steps in and takes control, and ensures he and I are always in touch. She’ll be like, ‘Did you call Zach?’ And I’ll be like, ‘No, I didn’t call Zach.’ And she’ll say, ‘Call him.’ And I’ll be like, ‘Why do I gotta call him?’ So she’ll text him and say, ‘Zach, call Donald.’”

So what’s next for the dynamic duo? As Faison puts it, “I don’t know. I think we’re going to let that evolve on its own. I can’t predict where it will go, but I can promise you, it will be forever.”

Whew. Love is still alive, friends. Love is still alive.