Jennifer Aniston and Lisa Kudrow have an impressive friendship, starting from when they both starred in ‘Friends’. Revealing the first moment they met, just one sentence from Lisa made Jenn sure that this would be her close friend in the future.

It’s been over three decades since Friends first premiered, but the real-life bond between Jennifer Aniston and Lisa Kudrow remains one of Hollywood’s most cherished friendships. This week, in a heartfelt interview on the Actors & Friends podcast, Aniston opened up about the very first moment she met Kudrow — and how one unexpected sentence from Lisa instantly convinced her they’d be close friends for life.

The actresses, now 56 and 61 respectively, met for the first time during a pre-production table read for Friends in 1994. As Aniston tells it, it wasn’t scripted lines or rehearsed jokes that sparked the beginning of their connection — it was something much more subtle, and much more real.

The First Moment

“I walked into the room, nervous as hell,” Aniston recalled. “I was the last one to arrive, and Lisa was already sitting on the couch with that quirky calm she always has. She looked up, gave me this big smile, and said, ‘You look like you actually sleep.’”

The line, strange as it seemed, struck a chord with Jennifer.

“It was so offbeat and unexpected,” she explained, laughing. “But it was so Lisa — dry, kind, and hilarious without trying. That’s when I knew: I want to sit next to her forever. That’s my person.”

A Friendship That Withstood Fame

From that moment on, Aniston and Kudrow formed a bond that transcended their roles as Rachel Green and Phoebe Buffay. Though all six cast members of Friends remained close over the years, Aniston and Kudrow developed a uniquely deep friendship rooted in mutual respect, humor, and fierce loyalty.

“We’ve never had a falling out,” Aniston said. “Lisa’s the kind of person who listens without judging. She’ll roast you and comfort you in the same breath.”

Kudrow, who has also spoken fondly of Aniston in previous interviews, once said: “Jen has the warmest heart. She’s strong and sensitive at the same time, and always there when it counts.”

More Than Red Carpets

While their careers took them in different directions after Friends ended in 2004, their personal bond only grew stronger. From vacations in Cabo to quiet dinners at each other’s homes, the two women remained each other’s constant.

Most recently, they were spotted together celebrating Courteney Cox’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where Aniston was seen whispering jokes into Kudrow’s ear as cameras flashed. Fans online gushed, calling it “a friendship that makes us believe in lasting connections.”

Why It Still Matters

In a world of fleeting celebrity alliances and Instagram-only friendships, the enduring closeness between Aniston and Kudrow stands out. Their story has become a comforting reminder that authentic connection — even in the glare of fame — is still possible.

“It’s the little things,” Aniston said. “We check in on each other. Send each other weird videos. She’s like a sister I didn’t know I needed, and that all started with that one bizarre sentence.”

What’s Next for the Duo?

While there’s no Friends reboot in the works, fans may still get to see Aniston and Kudrow share the screen again. Rumors are swirling that the two are developing a limited comedy series about two women navigating friendship in their 50s — a fitting full-circle moment for the duo whose offscreen friendship outshines even their on-screen chemistry.

Until then, their behind-the-scenes bond continues to inspire fans around the world.

As one user commented on a recent photo of the pair: “If your best friend doesn’t look at you the way Lisa looks at Jen — keep looking.”

And to think, it all started with a single, slightly odd, perfectly timed line:
“You look like you actually sleep.”

Turns out, that was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.