Jennifer Aniston recalls growing close to Lisa Kudrow’s son over the years

Lisa Kudrow has revealed that her son once referred to Jennifer Aniston as “Mommy,” highlighting the close bond shared by the former Friends co-stars both on and off screen.

The actresses reunited for Variety’s Actors on Actors series, where they looked back on their time filming the beloved sitcom and discussed the lasting friendships formed during its 10-season run.

The conversation took place on the same Warner Bros. lot where Friends was filmed and where Kudrow’s current series The Comeback is now produced.

Reflecting on the atmosphere surrounding the sitcom, Aniston noted that Kudrow’s son, Julian, effectively grew up around the show’s laughter-filled environment.

“It’s like he grew up hearing laughter all the time,” Aniston said.

Kudrow agreed, recalling the joy that surrounded the production and the positive energy shared among the cast throughout the series.

Aniston also spoke warmly about Julian, now 28, describing him as one of the most joyful people she knows.

“I would choose him as a person I would like to spend time with as a friend, not just because he’s your son,” she said.

The conversation prompted Kudrow to share a memorable childhood story about Julian.

“When he could first speak, he'd look at the TV, point to Jennifer and say, ‘Mommy!’” Kudrow recalled. “So he had a connection to you.”

Aniston, who has never had children, laughed about the memory and suggested that Julian somehow knew the comment would make her happy.

“That was weird,” she said. “He knew, somehow, that that would make me feel good.”

Elsewhere in the discussion, the actresses revisited some of their favorite Friends episodes, particularly the popular Thanksgiving installments that became a hallmark of the series.

Kudrow specifically remembered the episode featuring Brad Pitt, who made a memorable guest appearance as Will Colbert, a former classmate of Ross who famously disliked Rachel.

“When Brad was on, that was hilarious,” Kudrow said.

Aniston also reflected on the impressive list of Hollywood stars who appeared on the sitcom over the years, including Bruce Willis, Julia Roberts and Isabella Rossellini.