 The role of Rachel was originally offered to actresses Téa Leoni , the producer 's first choice , and Courteney Cox , both of whom declined , Leoni in favor of starring in the sitcom The Naked Truth , and Cox in favor of playing Rachel 's best friend Monica in Friends . A virtually unknown actress at the time who had previously starred in five short @-@ lived sitcoms , Aniston auditioned for the role of Rachel after turning down an offer as a cast member on the sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live . After acquiring the role and before Friends aired , Aniston was temporarily at risk of being recast because she had also been involved with another sitcom , Muddling Through , at the time , which was ultimately canceled and allowed Aniston to remain on Friends . 
 The role of Rachel was originally offered to actresses Téa Leoni , the producer <a href='null_genetive' title='1'><mark>'s</mark></a>first choice , and Courteney Cox , both of whom declined , Leoni in favor of starring in the sitcom The Naked Truth , and Cox in favor of playing Rachel <a href='null_genetive' title='2'><mark>'s</mark></a>best friend Monica in Friends . A virtually unknown actress at the time <a href='null_relcl' title='3'><mark>who</mark></a><a href='been_done' title='4'><mark>had</mark></a> previously starred in five short @-@ lived sitcoms , Aniston auditioned for the role of Rachel after turning down an offer as a cast member on the sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live . After acquiring the role and before Friends aired , Aniston was temporarily at risk of being recast because she <a href='been_done' title='5'><mark>had</mark></a> also been involved with another sitcom , Muddling Through , at the time , which was ultimately canceled and allowed Aniston to remain on Friends . 
The role of Rachel was originally offered to actresses Téa Leoni , the producer  first choice , and Courteney Cox , both of whom declined , Leoni in favor of starring in the sitcom The Naked Truth , and Cox in favor of playin Rachel  best friend Monica in frens . A virtually unknown actress at the time done previously starred in five short @-@ lived sitcoms , Aniston auditioned for da role of Rachel after turning dwn an offer as a cast member on the sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live . After acquiring the role and before Frfrensired , Aniston was temporarily at risk of being recast because she done also been involved wid another sitcom , Muddling Through , at tdatime , which was ultimately canceled and allowed Aniston to remain on Friefrens