News | Entertainment
29 Dec 2025 8:19
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Jane Sibbett was originally offered Jennifer Aniston's role on 'Friends'

    The 57-year-old actress took on the role of Ross Gellar's ex-wife Carol in the popular sitcom but she was initially offered the role of Rachel Green, which helped plummet Jennifer Aniston into international stardom


    Speaking to news.com.au, Jane revealed: "I actually was up for another character. They wanted me to be one of the main six.

    "It was actually Rachel but I usually don't tell people that because Jen ... There's no one who could've done it like Jen."

    Sadly, Jane - who has Ruby, 29, Kai, 26, and Violet, 20, with ex-husband Karl Fink - had to turn down the role as she fell pregnant with her second child.

    She continued: "I asked them [the agents] if they'd told the producers I was pregnant [at the time] and they said, 'Oh no, we thought we'd tell them later.' And I said, 'No, you've got to tell them now.' So obviously they [producers] said it wouldn't work out."

    However, she has "no regrets" as she believes Jennifer was perfect for the role.

    She added: "I have no regrets, my goodness, there's no way anybody could have come close to what Jennifer Aniston did with Rachel. She was so perfect."

    Jane went on to play Carol after actress Anita Barone - who was originally cast to play the role - abruptly quit after the pilot.

    She explained: "So I got home from hospital after giving birth to my son and I got a phone call saying that they were replacing Carol and could I come to work the next day.

    "Two days after I delivered my son he and I were on the set. I was in a milky haze. But it was funny. It was only supposed to be a two-week job so I'm very grateful."

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     29 Dec: Brigitte Bardot, iconic French actor, sex symbol and animal rights campaigner, dies aged 91
     28 Dec: King Charles' Christmas speech will be available in virtual reality
     28 Dec: Lily Allen has been "shopping like an insane person" following the success of her album West End Girl
     28 Dec: Sean Ono Lennon fears that younger generations could forget about The Beatles
     28 Dec: Chris Rea shared a poignant social media post in the hours before his death
     28 Dec: Emma Heming Willis admits that Christmas has "changed" since her husband Bruce Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia
     28 Dec: Modern Family star Helen Siff has died at the age of 88
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Nick Kyrgios has blitzed Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 across what has been coined their battle-of-the-sexes tennis match in Dubai More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Melbourne could be facing water-restrictions from low-rainfall, a dry summer, and high water-use More...



     Today's News

    National:
    NZ report card 2025: how the country fared in 28 key global and domestic rankings 8:17

    Law and Order:
    Police are continuing to look into reports someone had a firearm in Christchurch's Halswell Quarry and Kennedy's Bush area about 10.30 yesterday morning 8:17

    Rugby:
    Nick Kyrgios has blitzed Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 across what has been coined their battle-of-the-sexes tennis match in Dubai 8:07

    Environment:
    With every extinction, we lose not just a species but a treasure trove of knowledge 8:07

    Education:
    The subject area of life skills and personal development is growing in popularity among secondary school students 8:07

    Politics:
    Aid agencies fear lifesaving program banned in Gaza under new Israeli requirements 7:57

    Law and Order:
    Three men have been receiving hospital treatment, after mass brawls early yesterday on Auckland's Karangahape Road 7:57

    Rugby League:
    Ex-Wallabies and Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has continued his dominance of former All Blacks mentors Sir Steve Hansen and Ian Foster in Japan Rugby League One 7:47

    International:
    Brigitte Bardot was the world's 'sex kitten'. Her nonchalance was all French 7:27

    Law and Order:
    Two people have been hospitalised, after reports of fighting in South Auckland's Wiri last night 7:27


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd