Jennifer Aniston reflects on Brad Pitt's iconic 'Friends' cameo during reunion chat with Lisa Kudrow

Jennifer Aniston shocked fans by making a rare public reference to her former husband Brad Pitt while reuniting with 'Friends' co-star Lisa Kudrow. The exchange saw Aniston reflect on some of the most memorable moments from the beloved sitcom, including its famous Thanksgiving episodes and a long list of celebrity guest stars.

During Variety's 'Actors on Actors' series, while discussing fan-favourite episodes, Aniston asked Kudrow whether she enjoyed filming the annual Thanksgiving specials. Kudrow responded warmly, saying, "Yes. Those were great, the Thanksgiving episodes. When Brad was on, that was hilarious."

What Jennifer Aniston said about Brad Pitt and celebrity guests on 'Friends'

Aniston noted that it still amused her to think about the calibre of celebrities who came through the 'Friends' set, citing Pitt alongside other notable guest stars including Bruce Willis, Julia Roberts, Isabella Rossellini and Sean Penn. She also revealed that many of the show's celebrity guests were surprisingly nervous about appearing on the sitcom despite their success in film and television, with Sean Penn among those who felt the pressure.

Kudrow reflected on the challenge guest stars faced in finding the right tone. "Nervous. Well, because what's the tone? It's not theater; it's for TV. It's not a movie. What the hell is this? And it's a good question," she said. "I remember someone asked one time. I didn't know how to explain it, so I said, 'Oh, just talk louder. Same intention, just louder.'"
Pitt made his memorable appearance in the Season 8 Thanksgiving episode titled 'The One With the Rumor', which aired in 2001. He played Will Colbert, a former high school classmate of Ross and Monica Geller who harboured a strong dislike for Rachel Green, Aniston's character.

The enduring legacy of 'Friends'

The conversation also touched on the broader legacy of the show. Aniston and Kudrow starred alongside Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc and the late Matthew Perry throughout the show's ten-season run from 1994 to 2004. The cast famously negotiated their contracts together, eventually earning $1 million per episode during the final two seasons. They later reunited for the 'Friends: The Reunion' special in 2021, reportedly earning $2.5 million each for their appearances.

Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt's personal lives

At the time Pitt filmed his 'Friends' cameo, he and Aniston were one of Hollywood's most celebrated couples. The pair began dating in 1998 and tied the knot in a lavish Malibu wedding in 2000, before announcing their separation in January 2005.

Since their split, both have moved on. Pitt was later married to actress Angelina Jolie, with whom he shares six children, before the two filed for divorce in 2016. Despite the years that have passed, the former couple have maintained a cordial relationship. Pitt attended Aniston's 50th birthday celebration in 2019, and the pair delighted fans when they shared a warm moment backstage at the 2020 Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Pitt is now reportedly in a relationship with Ines de Ramon, while Aniston is dating wellness expert Jim Curtis.