Olivia Williams recalls ‘alarming’ guest appearance on ‘Friends’: ‘You’re not funny!’

Jack Hobbs
·3 min read
Olivia Williams recently recalled a
Olivia Williams recently recalled a
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It was not a friendly encounter.

British actress Olivia Williams recently recalled a “harrowing” and “alarming” experience she allegedly had while appearing on the iconic TV show “Friends.”

“Well, just as an example, I was taken to the studio in a shared car with a wonderful actress whose character, I think, was called ‘Old Woman,’ ” Williams, 55, told the Independent.

According to “The Crown” alum, the actress — whose name Williams cannot remember — quickly found herself in hot water with one of the show’s producers.

Olivia Williams recently recalled a “harrowing” and “alarming” experience she had while appearing as a guest actress on the iconic TV show “Friends.” Amy Sussman/WireImage
Olivia Williams recently recalled a “harrowing” and “alarming” experience she had while appearing as a guest actress on the iconic TV show “Friends.” Amy Sussman/WireImage

“At one point, a producer — who shall remain nameless — just yelled at her: ‘You’re not funny,’ ” Williams claimed. “And she didn’t come back the next day.”

Williams, who played a flirty bridesmaid in the second part of the Season 4 finale “The One With Ross’ Wedding,” said that the woman’s disappearance from the sitcom’s set was “alarming.”

“Oh,” the “Sixth Sense” actress continued. “And ‘Friends’ was a brand, and you had to fit the brand.”

“You go into hair and makeup and you’re told, ‘There’s a look here, this is what we do.’ And that involved, essentially, plucking off all of your eyebrows.”

Williams, who appeared as a flirty bridesmaid in the second part of the Season 4 finale “The One With Ross’ Wedding,” said that the Old Woman’s disappearance from the sitcom’s set was “alarming.” NBC
Williams, who appeared as a flirty bridesmaid in the second part of the Season 4 finale “The One With Ross’ Wedding,” said that the Old Woman’s disappearance from the sitcom’s set was “alarming.” NBC
“Oh,” the “Sixth Sense” actress continued, “And ‘Friends’ was a <em>brand</em>, and you had to fit the <em>brand</em>.” Sebastian Reuter/Getty Images
“Oh,” the “Sixth Sense” actress continued, “And ‘Friends’ was a brand, and you had to fit the brand.” Sebastian Reuter/Getty Images

According to Williams, she would beg the department to keep her eyebrows.

“Literally, ‘Please don’t take my eyebrows off. I might need them in another job,’ ” she joked.

“Maybe I’d have a lot more work if I shut up more,” laughed Williams. “I might actually be on some socialist actor blacklist, I don’t know.”

In the episode, which originally aired in May 1998, Joey (Matt LeBlanc, far right), Monica (Courteney Cox, second from right) and Chandler (Matthew Perry, second from left) all go across the pond to celebrate Ross’ (David Schwimmer, third from right) impending marriage to his fiancée Emily (Helen Baxendale, not pictured). Warner Brothers Television/Fotos International/Courtesy of Getty Images

The Post reached out to NBC and Warner Brothers for comment.

In the episode, which originally aired in May 1998, Joey (Matt LeBlanc), Monica (Courteney Cox) and Chandler (Matthew Perry) travel across the pond to celebrate Ross’ (David Schwimmer) impending marriage to his  fiancée, Emily (Helen Baxendale).

Season 4 ends on a cliffhanger when Ross accidentally says Rachel’s name during his vows before ending with a shot of Rachel’s face. Getty Images
Season 4 ends on a cliffhanger when Ross accidentally says Rachel’s name during his vows before ending with a shot of Rachel’s face. Getty Images

As the finale progresses, Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) — who stayed behind with a very pregnant Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) — realizes that she still loves Ross and heads to London.

The second part of the finale sees the friend group attempting to stop Rachel from ruining the wedding as well as the first time Monica and Chandler sleep together.

Season 4 ends on a cliffhanger when Ross accidentally says Rachel’s name during his vows before ending with a shot of Rachel’s face.

All 10 seasons of “Friends” are available to stream on Max, Hulu and Amazon Prime.