Kaley Cuoco may be a big star in her own right, but she still gets starstruck when it comes to one of her childhood idols, Jennifer Aniston. Cuoco has been vocal over the years about her lifelong fandom for Aniston, whom she’s admired since her breakout role on the sitcom Friends. Long before her fame from The Big Bang Theory, a young Cuoco actually got to act alongside Aniston in the 1997 film Picture Perfect. 

When Did Kaley Cuoco First Meet Her Idol Jennifer Aniston?

Kaley Cuoco in The Big Bang Theory

According to The List, Cuoco was only 12 years old at the time and already a devoted fan of Aniston from Friends.

“All I remember is spending the entire day convincing myself to tell Jen how much I loved her,” Cuoco recalled in an Instagram post.

She said Jennifer Aniston was incredibly gracious to her as a newcomer on set. This early brush with her idol only strengthened Cuoco’s intense admiration. Cuoco has never been shy about proclaiming her super fandom for Aniston.

She admitted on Late Night With Seth Meyers that she’s “kind of a secret, crazy, obsessed Jennifer Aniston fan.”

When the two crossed paths again as adults, Cuoco described the interaction like a religious experience, saying “the skies opened up, and [Aniston] smelled like a garden. And it was everything I dreamed it would be.”

Cuoco even said she wished Aniston could have guest starred on The Big Bang Theory, telling AOL “I love her so much. I’m obsessed with her.”

On social media, Kaley Cuoco consistently shows support for Aniston’s projects and life events. When Aniston was nominated for The Morning Show, Cuoco immediately commented calling her “epic.” And when Aniston opened up about her fertility struggles, Cuoco defended her against judgment.

How Has Jennifer Aniston Influenced Kaley Cuoco’s Own Career?

As an impressionable young girl watching Friends in the 1990s, Cuoco developed a deep appreciation for Aniston’s comedic skills and star power. She saw in Aniston a relatable, funny, girl-next-door actor adept at both comedy and drama.

It’s easy to see shades of Rachel Green in some of Cuoco’s own roles, like the sitcom sensibilities of 8 Simple Rules and The Big Bang Theory. Cuoco also balances comedy and drama in her Emmy-nominated turn in The Flight Attendant.

Aniston has clearly represented an ideal version of a successful comedic actress for Cuoco to try to emulate over her career. While Cuoco has carved her path, the influence of her childhood idol is still felt.

Why Does Jennifer Aniston Resonate So Much With Kaley Cuoco?

Kaley Cuoco

As Cuoco has said, beyond Aniston’s acting talent, she admires her effortless coolness and relatability. Unlike other untouchable Hollywood stars, Aniston radiates a down-to-earth charisma.

Cuoco likely also connects with Aniston’s journey as an actress who rose to fame playing a version of herself on a long-running sitcom. That’s a path Cuoco followed in many ways through her 12 seasons on The Big Bang Theory.

This combo of immense fame mixed with genuineness has allowed Aniston to remain Cuoco’s idol into adulthood. While Cuoco is now an A-list star in her own right, that inner fan girl for Aniston still shines through.