Quiz

BuzzFeed Staff

TVAndMovies

Kathy Griffin? Vince Vaughn?? Jane Lynch???

These Famous Actors Were Almost Cast On "Friends" — Can You Guess The Roles They Auditioned For?

These 11 Actors Were Almost On "Friends" — Can You Guess Which Part They Would Have Played?

These Famous Actors Were Almost Cast On &quot;Friends&quot; — Can You Guess The Roles They Auditioned For?

"My business manager is very sad that I didn't [get the part]," she [joked](https://www.eonline.com/news/697770/jane-krakowski-reveals-she-auditioned-for-friends-find-out-which-role-she-went-after) in an interview with Giuliana Rancic.

She auditioned for Rachel!

Jane Krakowski

The _Will and Grace_ star [revealed](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/eric-mccormack-ross-friends_n_3600680) to HuffPost that he auditioned for the role of Ross back in the day — before finding out it was pretty much written for David Schwimmer.

He auditioned for Ross!

Eric McCormack

The comedian spilled the tea in an [interview](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kathy-live-bravo-kathy-griffin-talk-show_n_2334009) with HuffPost, claiming that she and "all [her] other girlfriends" went in for the role of Phoebe.

She auditioned for Phoebe!

Kathy Griffin

The show's casting director, Ellie Kanner, [told](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/friends-stories-know_n_7192106) HuffPost that she remembered him as being "handsome and tall" — but he just wasn't Joey.

He auditioned for Joey!

Vince Vaughn

According to [Kathy Griffin](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kathy-live-bravo-kathy-griffin-talk-show_n_2334009), Jane Lynch was one of the many women who auditioned alongside her for the role of Phoebe.

Jane Lynch

In an interview with _Access Live_, Messing explained that she auditioned for the role right after graduate school.

Debra Messing

The _Two and a Half Men_ star [told](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC9661AafnU) James Corden that he filmed his audition in the UK, but his tape never made it to LA because "it got stuck at customs." Yikes.

He auditioned for Chandler!

Jon Cryer

Remini wrote about her [audition](https://www.vulture.com/2015/11/7-cool-non-scientology-stories-in-leah-reminis-book.html) for _Friends_ in her autobiography, noting that as soon as she saw Courteney Cox walk into the building, she knew it was all over.

She auditioned for Monica!

Leah Remini

Before he was cast as Phoebe's scientist boyfriend, David, Hank Azaria [auditioned](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/hank-azaria-friends-joey_n_4652269) twice to play Joey.

Hank Azaria

It's not clear if she ever actually auditioned, but one of the show's creators, David Crane, [revealed](https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2012/04/friends-oral-history-jennifer-aniston-rachel-green) to Vanity Fair that he'd originally written the role of Monica for Janeane Garofalo.

She was almost Monica!

Janeane Garofalo

She explained in an [interview](https://ew.com/tv/2018/10/01/tiffani-thiessen-audtioned-friends-rachel/) that she tested for the role, but was ruled out for being too young — she was 20 at the time.

Tiffani Thiessen

But hey, this was a lot harder than it looked. Which was the biggest shocker for you?!

Sure, you had a few mixups, but there were some big surprises in here. Now share with a friend and see if they've got you beat!

You know your _Friends_ history like the back of your hand. Now share with a friend and see if they've got you beat!

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These Famous Actors Were Almost Cast On "Friends" — Can You Guess The Roles They Auditioned For?

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