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It was the role that put Jennifer Anniston on the Hollywood map. But, the former Friends star recently admitted that she feared she’d never escape the lovable “Rachel” the world came to adore.
In a roundtable discussion with The Hollywood Reporter, Aniston spoke about her famous role along with other current social and political news. She joined other A-list actors such as Reese Witherspoon, Zendaya, Rose Byrne, Helena Bonham Carter, and Janelle Monae in discussing COVID-19, the murder of George Floyd, and more.
Aniston said in the interview, “I could not get Rachel Green off of my back for the life of me.” The actress further explained that during the years the show was active, she wished everyone would stop playing the show.
Relief came in 2002 when she starred opposite Jake Gyllenhaal in The Good Girl. Aniston played a store clerk who has an affair with her co-worker. It was the first time she was able to shed the “Rachel” character. It wasn't easy as she made is seem on the big screen. Aniston told The Hollywood Reporter, “I remember the panic that set over me, thinking, ‘Oh God, I don’t know if I can do this. Maybe they’re right. Maybe everybody else is seeing something I’m not seeing, which is you are only that girl in the New York apartment with the purple walls.”
Since the Friends finale in 2004, Anniston has moved on to roles that are vastly different from Rachel. True, she will always be remembered as the adorable and loveable Rachel Green, but that’s just one part of Aniston. Nowadays, Jennifer Aniston can take virtually any role and own it.
