Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston have both made headlines in the past for their seemingly supernatural ability to age backward. The two accomplished actors have both starred in several successful projects over the years, and now in their 50s, still look as fresh-faced as ever.
Along with having discovered the key to halting the aging process, Aniston and Rudd have something else in common: a long and supportive friendship.
Most Friends fans don’t realize that the two actors first worked together before they shared the screen on the popular sitcom, and have shared many experiences since (including Rudd accidentally running Aniston’s foot over with a Segway on the set of Friends).
After starring as Rachel Green and Mike Hannigan on the show, the duo collaborated again on further acting projects and have also continued to praise each other over the years.
Was there ever anything more to their friendship or was it strictly platonic? Keep reading to find out all the details behind the relationship between Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd.
Jennifer Aniston And Paul Rudd’s First Meeting
Although their most famous collaborative work was on the TV show Friends, Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd actually met in 1998, a few years prior to Rudd’s guest role on the popular sitcom.
They met when they starred in the 1998 film The Object of My Affection, where they played two love interests. The film follows the story of a single pregnant woman who asks her gay best friend to act as the baby’s father, which disappoints her boyfriend.
While they played love interests on-screen in the film, romance bloomed between Aniston and Rudd in real life too, and they started dating.
Jennifer Aniston And Paul Rudd Dated
According to Cheat Sheet, Aniston and Rudd started dating not long after they met during filming. However, Aniston started dating fellow actor Brad Pitt in 1998, after the two were set up by their agents. Aniston then famously went on to marry Pitt in 2000.
So if they did date, Rudd and Aniston couldn’t have spent very long as a couple. Though their dating days didn’t last, the two remained friends for years and continued to work together on multiple projects in Hollywood.
Their Time Together On ‘Friends’
The most well-known project that Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd did together was Friends. Aniston played one of the main characters, Rachel Green, for the show’s entire 10-year run. She was even simultaneously playing Rachel while working on The Object of My Affection in 1998.
By comparison, Paul Rudd joined the Friends cast in 2002, in the show’s eighth season. He played the role of Mike, the boyfriend and eventual husband of the group’s oddball, Phoebe Buffay.
Mike and Rachel didn’t interact any more than Mike and any of Phoebe’s other friends on the show. So some fans didn’t even realize that the two actors share a long history.
Reuniting In Wanderlust
After working together on Friends, Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston starred in the 2012 film Wanderlust together.
Once again, the two portrayed lovers, playing a married couple who escape to a commune to get away from modern society.
Kisses Between The Two Actors Aren’t Awkward
Most of us would feel awkward at the prospect of having to kiss someone for work whom we used to date. But according to Cosmopolitan, Jennifer Aniston has absolutely zero weird feelings about kissing Paul Rudd.
In an interview, Aniston explained that she’s “kissed him for years,” so there’s nothing uncomfortable about it. In the same interview, Rudd added that the two of them had “made out for decades.”
Jennifer Aniston Still Supports Paul Rudd
Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd have clearly been through a lot together. And while not all of us can stay friends with someone we used to date, these two have managed to stay on good terms throughout it all.
Their friendship was never clearer than when Rudd was awarded the title of People’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2021. Aniston took straight to social media to congratulate her friend and co-star.
“This makes me so happy," she captioned in an Instagram story dedicated to Rudd. "We've ALWAYS known this, but Paul Rudd is officially @people's Sexiest Man Alive!"
In the post, Aniston also shared a video from Rudd’s photoshoot, as well as a throwback photo of the two of them that was taken on the set of The Object of My Affection. Aniston then added, "You don't age, which is weird. But we still love you."
While no one can argue that Paul Rudd looks amazing, Jennifer Aniston has also seemed to somehow avoid aging and looks equally fantastic. Whatever beauty routine these two friends are following, it’s definitely working!