Jennifer Aniston became one of the highest-paid TV actors when she starred in FRIENDS. The sitcom made her a global star as her role as Rachel Green entertained generations. She also became a fashion icon, with her hairstyle, termed ‘The Rachel’ being extremely popular among viewers in the ‘90s.
While Aniston reportedly received $1 million per episode by the final season, she was a relative unknown when she was cast in the role. In an interview with Jay Leno, after the show ended in 2004, Aniston revealed that she bought a Mercedes 280SL with her first paycheck. The reveal impressed Leno so much that he immediately asked her out on a date.
Jennifer Aniston Bought A Mercedes With Her First Paycheck
Jennifer Aniston in Friends | Credits: Warner Bros. Television
Jennifer Aniston reportedly almost missed out on the role of Rachel Green in FRIENDS as she was supposed to be in another TV show. Titled Muddling Though, the sitcom reportedly got scrapped before being picked up, allowing Aniston to continue to play Rachel in FRIENDS, and the rest is history (via Screen Rant).
The actress was a relative unknown when she was cast in the role. While actors like David Schwimmer and Courtney Cox had some experience and were known by the team, Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and Lisa Kudrow were reportedly cast after auditioning thousands of actors (via USA Today).
A still from FRIENDS | Credits: Warner Bros. Television
Most of the actors in the cast got their first big paycheck with FRIENDS. In an interview with Jay Leno, the cast revealed what they had bought after getting their first paycheck. LeBlanc mentioned that he was super broke at the time and he bought dinner. However, Aniston reportedly bought a 280 SL Mercedes, which impressed Leno. He said,
We should go out. That’s great. Now you’re really attractive to me.
Courtney Cox mentioned that she bought a Porsche even before they got picked up while Lisa Kudrow said that she bought an Acura Legend with her first paycheck.
Jennifer Aniston’s First Mercedes Broke Down Immediately After Buying It
A still from The Morning Show | Credits: Apple TV
While Jennifer Aniston’s casting on FRIENDS was a big risk as she was committed to a different pilot and was also a relative unknown, she has largely been the most popular star of the cast. Along with the rest of the lead actors, she became one of the highest-paid TV actors, with the last season giving them a $1 million per episode paycheck (via Forbes).
As she mentioned to Jay Leno, Aniston reportedly bought a Mercedes with her first big paycheck. Calling it a big splurge, she recently revealed to Pop Sugar (via People) that the car broke down immediately after driving it for the first time. The car was reportedly on sale for two years and she hoped to buy it one day. She said,
And one day I bought it, and then I drove it, and then drove it again, and it never drove again…It was a lemon, and that’s why it had been sitting there. I didn’t know any better to get it checked out, so that was just a nice 25-year-old mistake.
The actress was reportedly earning $22,500 per episode at the time and hence might not have seen it as a big risk (via People).
FRIENDS is currently streaming on Max.
