Jennifer Aniston set her sights on something different after her star-making role on Friends, but she was belittled for suggesting it at the time.
During Elle’s Women in Hollywood event on Monday, November 17, the actress, 56, recalled how she initially shared her desire to produce in 2004, the same year that she wrapped Friends after portraying Rachel Green on the sitcom for 10 seasons.
“The room got really, really quiet, and I got that look of ‘how cute you are’ and sort of a pat on the head and the air bubble above the head that says, ‘OK, let’s just wait a second, let’s put a pin in this for now,’” she said.
Despite the initial reaction to her producing dreams, the industry changed over time, and Aniston finally landed an opportunity to pursue her passion.
“I got to produce my first movie, and I can confirm, I love it,” she gushed. “And I’m really good at it.”
Aniston’s first project as a producer was her 2008 film Management. She has since served in the capacity again with many of her movies, including 2010’s The Switch, 2014’s Cake, 2018’s Dumplin’, 2019’s Murder Mystery and 2023’s Murder Mystery. She also produced the 2021 Friends reunion and has been an executive producer of her Apple TV series, The Morning Show, since its 2019 debut.
Elsewhere in her speech, Aniston pointed out the positive industry changes since the last time she was an Elle honoree in 2011, noting “how many incredible women have just kicked the door down, seriously kicked the door down” in the past nearly 15 years.
“You’ve been creating, you’ve been directing, you’ve been leading, you’ve been producing, you’ve been starring, you’ve been making human beings, which is unbelievable, and making it look so easy, which we all know it is not easy,” she raved.
Regardless of the inevitable drawbacks of Hollywood, Aniston shared that she keeps showing up for “the friendships and the shared belief that storytelling still matters, that baring our souls as actors and creators still matters — something that A.I. will never be able to duplicate, no matter how smart it gets.”
Earlier in the evening, Aniston’s longtime friend and costar Adam Sandler paid tribute to her with an emotional speech.
“She’s an incredible producer, writer, one of the best collaborators I’ve ever worked with,” he told the audience. “I love her with all my heart.”
In addition to their work relationship, Sandler, 59, also touched on the personal aspect of his and Aniston’s dynamic, noting that he’s “been friends with this spectacular genius since I was 22 years old.”
“I can honestly say Jen is the best in so many ways and one of the most rock-steady human beings I’ve met,” he said. “I’ve only seen her angry like two and a half times in the 40 years I’ve hung out with her.”
“Everyone in this room loves you, Jennifer,” he added. “It’s just automatic happiness when we are around you.”
This story was originally reported by Parade on Nov 18, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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