The Lovely Way Reese Witherspoon And Jennifer Aniston Bonded On The Friends Set (And How She’s Supported Her)

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Everyone loves the sitcom *Friends*, and it continues to be a source of comfort for many. A big reason for its popularity was the amazing connection between the actors, who became close friends during filming and have stayed that way for over twenty years. Surprisingly, Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston developed a particularly strong friendship through the show. Witherspoon recently shared how sweetly they first connected on set and how much support Aniston has given her ever since.

I remember when Reese Witherspoon really started to break out – she was fresh off the success of *Cruel Intentions* and *Election* when she played Rachel’s sister on *Friends*. She was so young then, only 23, and things were moving incredibly fast for her. She actually told The New York Times how hard it was being in the public eye while also starting a marriage and becoming a mom. It was on the *Friends* set that she found a really important connection with the actress who played her sister, and she said that relationship really helped her get through it all.

Growing up, Jennifer Aniston was a great support as I dealt with personal issues and a lot of unwanted attention from the tabloids. We played sisters on ‘Friends,’ and I’ll always remember bringing my three-month-old daughter, Ava, to set in 1999. Courteney [Cox] and Jen were so excited when they found out and came to my dressing room to ask if they could meet her. It was a really sweet moment – they were thrilled to see Ava!

Honestly, hearing Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox react to Reese Witherspoon sharing that story must have been really special. Apparently, a lot of people told her years ago that starting a family young would ruin her chances as an actress. And I totally get why! I can’t even picture trying to build an acting career while also dealing with a new baby – it sounds incredibly challenging.

Okay, so I was reading about Reese Witherspoon, and it’s wild to think she married Ryan Phillippe way back in ’99 – though sadly they divorced in 2008. They had their daughter just three months after tying the knot, which means she really had to grow up fast! It got me thinking, it must have been great for her to have someone like Jennifer Aniston, a few years older and already established, to help her figure out the whole Hollywood thing. Apparently, after Reese did a guest spot on *Friends*, that’s when their friendship really took off, according to Reese herself.

I’ll always remember how incredibly kind they were to me. That simple kindness meant I felt comfortable enough to turn to Jennifer whenever I was going through a tough time, like after a breakup or during my very public divorce. She was consistently generous with her advice and just genuinely cared, which meant the world to me.

Isn’t that what friends-especially those who feel like older sisters-are for? Listening to Reese Witherspoon talk about her close relationship with Jennifer Aniston makes me wish they’d had more chances to play sisters on *Friends*. Like Christina Applegate’s character, the other Green sister, maybe Aniston could have returned in a later season. Here’s a clip of Rachel and Jill sharing a scene together.

@tbsnetwork ♬ original sound – TBS Network

Reese Witherspoon revealed that the producers of *Friends* invited her to return, but she was so nervous during her first appearance with a live studio audience that she hasn’t performed in front of one since. Despite that experience, she has fond memories of being on the show, describing it as surreal to sit on the iconic Central Perk couch and hear Matt LeBlanc deliver his famous line, “How you doin’?”

Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston became close friends while working together, and they’re still great friends today, even in their 40s and 50s. They’ve happily reunited on screen, currently starring together in the Emmy Award-winning series *The Morning Show*. Although they play rivals on the show, the producer says their characters, Alex and Bradley, will ultimately help each other grow as their relationship evolves.

HBO Max subscriptions start at $9.99 per month. With HBO Max, you can stream all episodes of *Friends*, plus thousands of other movies, shows, and documentaries. The Basic With Ads plan is $9.99/month, and other plans are also available. See the deal here.

It all began with *Friends*, and I’m so glad it brought Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston together as friends. You can watch all ten seasons of the show anytime with an HBO Max subscription. Plus, don’t miss Aniston and Witherspoon in Season 4 of *The Morning Show*, with new episodes available every Wednesday for Apple TV+ subscribers.

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2025-09-22 03:09