• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Moment Jennifer Aniston first learns Reese Witherspoon's real name after 25 years of friendship

Home> Celebrity> News

Updated 11:13 19 Sep 2025 GMT+1Published 10:59 19 Sep 2025 GMT+1

Moment Jennifer Aniston first learns Reese Witherspoon's real name after 25 years of friendship

Hollywood besties still surprise each other

Ben Williams

Ben Williams

Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon have been close friends for decades, but even after 25 years, Jen has only just discovered that Reese isn’t actually called Reese.

The pair, who famously played sisters in Friends and now star together in The Morning Show, sat down for a game of 'Do You Even Know Me?' with LADbible, where their friendship faced the ultimate test.

While the quiz brought up plenty of funny moments - including Aniston’s haunted first flat and Witherspoon’s viral Sabrina Carpenter mishap - it was the question about the latter's real middle name that left her bestie completely floored.

Advert

When asked to guess it, Aniston confidently answered: “Jane.” Witherspoon then revealed the correct answer, which was followed by an amazing back and forth.

The pair have been friends for years (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
The pair have been friends for years (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

“I’m Laura Jeanne,” the Legally Blonde star said.

Aniston replied: “Laura Jeanne!?”

Advert

Witherspoon confirmed: “That’s my real name, yeah.”

A visibly stunned Aniston blurted out: “What, who the hell’s Laura!?”

She went on to joke: “Like I’m not calling you that from now on. Come on, Laura Jeanne.”

The revelation didn’t stop there, with Witherspoon clarifying that her full name is actually Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon, and that 'Reese' comes from her middle name.

Advert

Aniston, while processing the news, then asked: “What made you go with Reese for your acting name?”

Laughing, Witherspoon replied: “I didn’t change it; my name was just always Reese,” before admitting herself that she didn’t know Aniston’s middle name, either, which is 'Joanna'.

Surprised herself, Reese responded: “What?... I was today years old.”

It's not the first time Witherspoon has spoken about her real name, as she opened up about it in a Vanity Fair interview with Nicole Kidman last year.

Fans loved seeing the unfiltered reaction. One wrote under the original YouTube video: “Jen's reaction to Laura Jean is priceless. Like, she couldn't believe it.”

Advert

Others admitted they felt the same, with some on Instagram directly quoting 'WHO THE HELL IS LAURA?!' while laughing.

The moment only cemented the duo’s reputation as one of Hollywood’s most endearing friendships. From starring in sitcom classics to running through press tours together, they’ve been through plenty - but even the closest pals can still throw a surprise or two.

As Aniston and Witherspoon joked after the bombshell: “Jennifer Joanna. Jennifer Joanna. J.J. Does anybody call you J.J? Well, I do now.”

Turns out, after 25 years of friendship, there’s always something new to learn.

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Michael Kovac

Topics: Jennifer Aniston, Friends, Celebrity

Ben Williams
Ben Williams

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Reason Jennifer Aniston chose not to adopt amid years of infertility struggles
  • Cole Sprouse explained why he found it so difficult working on Friends with Jennifer Aniston
  • Jennifer Aniston makes rare comment on Brad Pitt divorce in extremely honest admission
  • Jennifer Aniston denies getting plastic surgery as she breaks down work she’s had done

Choose your content:

4 hours ago
7 hours ago
9 hours ago
  • YouTube/60 Minutes Australia
    4 hours ago

    Russell Crowe, 61, reveals savage reason he will never marry girlfriend, 33, amid engagement rumors

    The Gladiator star is dating 33-year-old Britney Theriot

    Celebrity
  • Arturo Holmes/Getty Images / Rocco Spaziani/Archivio Spaziani/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images
    4 hours ago

    Robert Pattinson responds after Jennifer Lawrence admitted to serving him food from the trash

    Robert Pattinson's co-star didn't quite pull out all the stops for him...

    Celebrity
  • Tracey Biel/Variety via Getty Images
    7 hours ago

    Stephen King takes brutal swipe at controversial Hollywood actor as they defend Donald Trump in new interview

    Stephen King is no stranger to hitting out at Trump supporters

    Celebrity
  • The Interview | A Podcast From the New York Times/YouTube
    9 hours ago

    Jennifer Lawrence leaves people divided as she reveals her true feelings on Trump and US politics

    The actor has been outspoken on her political views

    Celebrity