By Rebecca Cook

Copyright metro

Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon have known each other since Friends (Picture: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Jennifer Aniston was left dumbfounded by Reese Witherspoon when she only just learned the actress’s real name, despite having known one another for over two decades.

The pair have returned to screens this week with a new season of the bonkers TV anchor drama The Morning Show, which sees Aniston, 56, and Witherspoon, 49, play frenemy presenters.

The Apple TV Plus prestige soap is back for a fourth season, which sees the gang tackle the likes of AI, deepfakes and the Paris Olympics from their headquarters at the UBA media building, following a high-stakes merger deal at the end of the previous season.

But while promoting the show Aniston learned there are still things about her longtime pal Witherspoon that she doesn’t know.

The exchange between the two was captured on LADBible’s Do You Even Know Me? segment during their press tour for the Apple drama, which they both also executive produce.

At one point, Witherspoon quizzed her co-star and asked her: ‘What is my real middle name? A: Jane, B: Jean or C: Joan.’

The pair co-star in Apple’s The Morning Show (Picture: Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)

When Aniston incorrectly guessed Jane, Witherspoon revealed that the answer was in fact Jean.

She nonchalantly added: ‘It’s confusing. I’m Laura Jean.’

However, Aniston was shocked at the revelation of Witherspoon’s first name rather than her middle name, exclaiming, ‘Laura Jean?’

Witherspoon explained: ‘That’s my real name. Yeah.’

‘Laura! Who’s Laura? Who the hell’s Laura?’ Aniston asked, adding, ‘I’m not calling you that from now on! Where did Reese come from?’

Witherspoon explained: ‘It’s my middle name. I’m Laura Jean Reese.’

Did you know Reese Witherspoon’s real name?

YesCheck

NoCheck

Want to get bespoke updates on the TV shows you love? Sign up to Metro’s TV newsletters and tell us which ones you can’t get enough of

Show

Expand Options

Select your shows for TV news tailored to you
Close

Select All
Select All

Big Brother
Big Brother

Britain’s Got Talent
Britain’s Got Talent

Celebrity Big Brother
Celebrity Big Brother

Doctor Who
Doctor Who

Great British Bake Off
Great British Bake Off

I’m A Celeb
I’m A Celeb

Love Island
Love Island

Netflix
Netflix

Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing

The Apprentice
The Apprentice

The Traitors
The Traitors

Email

I agree to receive newsletters from Metro
I agree to receive newsletters from Metro

Sign UpSign UpThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

‘I’m not calling you that from now on!’ (Picture: David Livingston/Getty Images)

Aniston later asked her co-star why she used Reese for her professional moniker.

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

The pair have been longtime friends since Witherspoon made a guest appearance on Friends in 2000 as the shopping-obsessed younger sister of Aniston’s character Rachel Green.

The pair are once again on screens as of this Wednesday, when the first episode of The Morning Show’s season four premiered on Apple TV Plus.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.