Jennifer Aniston teared up during a recent interview when she was asked about re-watching “Friends,” the show that made her and late actor Matthew Perry stars.
Aniston starred in the hit NBC sitcom from 1994-2004 alongside Perry, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc and Courteney Cox.
She had to take a moment to collect herself when a producer for Variety’s Actors on Actors series suggested that her interview partner, Quinta Brunson, ask her “what it’s like to watch ‘Friends’ now.”
Before Brunson could ask the question, Aniston said, “Oh God, don’t make me cry.”
“I’m sorry, I just started thinking about —,” an emotional Aniston added, seemingly about to reference Perry. The actor then paused the interview to receive a tissue, according to footage of the moment posted by Variety.
Perry died unexpectedly at his home on Oct. 28, 2023, at the age of 54. Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled his manner of death an accident.
Brunson assured the “Friends” actor that she didn’t have to talk about the show, but Aniston wanted to press on.
“No, I’m OK. It’s happy tears,” she replied, wiping her eyes.
Aniston collected herself, and responded to Brunson, who noted that “Friends” was turning 30.
“And I’m turning 30... what a coincidence,” Aniston quipped.
Variety’s transcript of the interview between “The Morning Show” actor and the “Abbott Elementary” star and creator — which left out the tearful exchange — picked up after Aniston’s joke about turning 30 along with the show.
“It’s so strange to even think that it’s 30 years old,” Aniston said. “Because I remember the day that it was going to premiere on television, on NBC: Matthew Perry and I were having lunch somewhere, and we knew Lisa was getting her hair colored. So we ran into the hair salon, and I snuck up — she was in the sink — and I took the nozzle from the guy that was supposed to be doing it and just started washing her hair.
“It definitely flew out of control, and that was unfortunate. But the excitement we had, it feels like yesterday,” Aniston said.
“The fact that it’s had this long, wonderful life and it still means a lot to people is one of the greatest gifts I think all five of us — all six of us — we never could imagine,” she said. “And we see each other. I talked on FaceTime with Court last night for an hour, and Lisa and the boys, and we just have a really — it’s a family forever.”
