Courteney Cox’s role as Monica Geller in Friends catapulted her to A-list stardom, turning her into a household name around the world. For ten years, millions of fans watched her bring the neurotic, competitive, and fiercely lovable Monica to life. But as iconic as the role was, it also cast a huge shadow over the rest of her career. While fans saw the glamorous side of fame, what they didn’t see was the struggle underneath — the ongoing battle to be seen not just as a sitcom character but as a respected, versatile actor.

In a candid interview with the Los Angeles Times, Courteney opened up about something that many successful actors face but rarely admit: the price of being forever associated with a single, beloved character. Reflecting on her early days in Hollywood, Cox confessed that in the beginning, her only goal was simple — to get work. Like so many actors fighting for their place in a competitive industry, she didn’t yet have the confidence to think beyond just landing the next job. “I didn’t know what kind of actor I wanted to be,” she admitted. “I didn’t have the confidence to stretch myself, to push myself.”

That lack of confidence, she said, led her to avoid challenging roles that might have helped her grow sooner as an artist. It wasn’t laziness — far from it — but rather a fear of stepping outside of her comfort zone and risking failure. As she explained, “I also didn’t want to put myself in a position where I felt out of my depth.” Now, decades into her career, the motivations are completely different. “When I was starting out, I just wanted to get a job. Now, I want to be respected,” she said. “I want to be seen as somebody who has been around for a long time and is challenging themselves… as opposed to ‘Oh, we know her.’”

Her confession struck a chord with many. It pulled back the curtain on the realities of fame and the emotional toll of being boxed into a single identity in the public’s eyes. While most fans adored Monica — and Cox herself said she’s proud of the character — there’s a deeper longing to leave a legacy that extends beyond one iconic role. “I want to be remembered as Monica,” she admitted with honesty, “but I’d also like to have something else… I have a lot more to do. I have a lot more to show.”

This desire isn’t just talk. In recent years, Cox has deliberately taken on roles that showcase different sides of her talent. Her return as Gale Weathers in the Scream franchise proved to be one of them. The sharp, fearless, and sometimes ruthless reporter is a stark contrast to Monica’s neurotic but lovable nature. Stepping back into Gale’s shoes, especially alongside co-stars Neve Campbell and David Arquette, reminded both fans and critics that Courteney Cox has range — plenty of it.

The success of the 2022 Scream reboot and the announcement of another sequel reaffirmed her staying power in the industry. Unlike the world of sitcoms, horror allowed her to tap into edgier, darker emotions, freeing her from the comedic expectations that have followed her since Friends.

But the shadow of Friends lingers in other ways too. In an especially vulnerable moment, Cox opened up about how painful it was to be the only main cast member never nominated for an Emmy during the show’s original run. On Howard Stern’s SiriusXM show, she admitted, “Yeah, it always hurt my feelings. When every single cast member was nominated but me, it definitely hurt my feelings.” She was happy for her friends, but being left out was a sting that didn’t go unnoticed.

It wasn’t until Friends: The Reunion aired that Cox finally received her first Emmy nomination — but not for acting. This time, it was for her role as a co-executive producer on the special. While she expressed her gratitude, she didn’t shy away from admitting, “That’s not exactly the Emmy I was looking for. I’m being honest with you.” Her transparency about this disappointment once again revealed the inner complexities of what it means to be both grateful for success yet still yearning for deeper artistic validation.

At this stage in her life and career, Courteney Cox is no longer chasing fame — she has more than enough of that. What she’s after now is respect. Not just as Monica Geller, not just as Gale Weathers, but as an artist capable of transformation, growth, and reinvention. She wants the world to see her not just for who she was, but for who she is — a woman with untapped depths, creative ambitions, and stories left to tell.

Her journey forces fans and the wider public to reconsider how we perceive actors who become tied to a single role. It’s a reminder that behind every iconic character is a person who hopes to be seen, understood, and appreciated for all the complexity they bring — both on screen and off. For Courteney Cox, the best chapters of her story may still be ahead.