[GUEST ACCESS MODE: Data is scrambled or limited to provide examples. Make requests using your API key to unlock full data. Check https://lunarcrush.ai/auth for authentication information.]  CineSummary [@cinesummary](/creator/twitter/cinesummary) on x XX followers Created: 2025-07-23 19:37:02 UTC ‘Friends’ Actress Jessica Hecht Says She Lost Monica Role for Being a “Bigger Size Than the Rest” — But Still Found Her Place on the Show Before Jessica Hecht played Susan Bunch — the sharp-tongued partner of Ross’s ex-wife Carol — on Friends, she was nearly cast in a very different role: Monica Geller. In a recent interview with Parade, Hecht revealed that she originally auditioned for the role of Monica, Ross’s sister, during the casting phase of the now-iconic sitcom. Her connection to the show ran deeper than a routine audition. “I was out in Los Angeles, and my agent said, ‘Oh, I sent your picture in to this casting director for Friends. There’s one part — they’re not sure if the actor will take it. I think she knows you from high school,’” Hecht recalled. That casting director was Ellie Kanner, someone Hecht knew from growing up near Hartford, Connecticut. Hecht went in, excited to reconnect with Kanner, and found herself reading for Monica. Ultimately, the part went to Courteney Cox. Reflecting on the decision, Hecht shared a frank assessment of why she thinks she didn’t get the role: “I think looking at me back then, I’m tall and I just had a bigger size than the rest.” She added, “Now I look at it, and I think how perfect Courteney was. I would have been more of a Lisa, just physically and energetically,” referencing Lisa Kudrow, who played Phoebe Buffay. Although she didn’t land a lead role, Hecht still became part of Friends’ DNA as Susan, appearing in XX episodes across its 10-season run. However, she admitted feeling the character never quite found its footing. “They just couldn’t figure out how to make Susan work,” she said, suggesting that the show wanted a more traditionally attractive representation of a lesbian couple. “It’s terrible. But they just wanted a lesbian that didn’t look exactly like lesbians had previously, let’s be honest.” With a laugh, she added, “Use your imagination! They’re wonderful. They come in all sizes.” Despite the limitations, Hecht remembered the early days of Friends fondly, especially her chemistry with Jane Sibbett, who played Carol. “We were so locked into each other,” she said. “It was mostly about our energy together.” In those early episodes — before Friends became a global juggernaut — Hecht recalled the cast still finding their footing: “The actors were awesome, but nobody had that confidence yet, so it was a very delicious time.” Jessica Hecht would go on to be a three-time Tony nominee and a familiar face across film and television, but Friends remains a memorable chapter — both for the role she almost played and the one she ultimately made her own. The series starred Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, and the late Matthew Perry.  XX engagements  [Post Link](https://x.com/cinesummary/status/1948105089454923948)
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CineSummary @cinesummary on x XX followers
Created: 2025-07-23 19:37:02 UTC
‘Friends’ Actress Jessica Hecht Says She Lost Monica Role for Being a “Bigger Size Than the Rest” — But Still Found Her Place on the Show Before Jessica Hecht played Susan Bunch — the sharp-tongued partner of Ross’s ex-wife Carol — on Friends, she was nearly cast in a very different role: Monica Geller.
In a recent interview with Parade, Hecht revealed that she originally auditioned for the role of Monica, Ross’s sister, during the casting phase of the now-iconic sitcom. Her connection to the show ran deeper than a routine audition. “I was out in Los Angeles, and my agent said, ‘Oh, I sent your picture in to this casting director for Friends. There’s one part — they’re not sure if the actor will take it. I think she knows you from high school,’” Hecht recalled. That casting director was Ellie Kanner, someone Hecht knew from growing up near Hartford, Connecticut.
Hecht went in, excited to reconnect with Kanner, and found herself reading for Monica. Ultimately, the part went to Courteney Cox. Reflecting on the decision, Hecht shared a frank assessment of why she thinks she didn’t get the role: “I think looking at me back then, I’m tall and I just had a bigger size than the rest.” She added, “Now I look at it, and I think how perfect Courteney was. I would have been more of a Lisa, just physically and energetically,” referencing Lisa Kudrow, who played Phoebe Buffay.
Although she didn’t land a lead role, Hecht still became part of Friends’ DNA as Susan, appearing in XX episodes across its 10-season run. However, she admitted feeling the character never quite found its footing. “They just couldn’t figure out how to make Susan work,” she said, suggesting that the show wanted a more traditionally attractive representation of a lesbian couple. “It’s terrible. But they just wanted a lesbian that didn’t look exactly like lesbians had previously, let’s be honest.” With a laugh, she added, “Use your imagination! They’re wonderful. They come in all sizes.”
Despite the limitations, Hecht remembered the early days of Friends fondly, especially her chemistry with Jane Sibbett, who played Carol. “We were so locked into each other,” she said. “It was mostly about our energy together.” In those early episodes — before Friends became a global juggernaut — Hecht recalled the cast still finding their footing: “The actors were awesome, but nobody had that confidence yet, so it was a very delicious time.”
Jessica Hecht would go on to be a three-time Tony nominee and a familiar face across film and television, but Friends remains a memorable chapter — both for the role she almost played and the one she ultimately made her own.
The series starred Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, and the late Matthew Perry.
XX engagements
