The Best Quotes From Jennifer Aniston and Sofia Vergara as They Toast (and Roast!) Reese Witherspoon

Friday night was certainly a star-studded one in Los Angeles, with Jennifer Aniston, Sofia Vergara, Jennifer Garner, Kate Hudson, Matthew McConaughey, and more A-listers coming out to support Reese Witherspoon as she received the American Cinematheque award. The honor is given to an artist making a significant contribution to the art of the film, but what’s notable about this year’s honor is that Witherspoon is only the fifth female to receive the honor in the fund-raising gala’s 29-year history.

It’s just another reason why we at Glamour are thrilled to have Witherspoon grace our 25th annual Women of the Year issue, especially since she launched her production company, Pacific Standard, to further create groundbreaking roles for women. At the gala, held at the Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles and sponsored by Fiji Water, Witherspoon urged her fellow filmmakers in attendance to not only create more roles for women but “to see more female surgeons, astronauts, soldiers, supreme court justices on-screen” as well.

Jennifer Aniston (who greeted Witherspoon with the longest hug ever before the award ceremony got under way) told the crowd of Hollywood executives, filmmakers, and actors that “even before Reese played my lovely, albeit somewhat spoiled sister, Jill, [on Friends] she somehow felt like family to me. Her amazing talent, both professionally and personally, has made her a strong and welcome presence in my life.”

Kate Hudson reminisced about the first time she met Witherspoon, which was actually in 1991 at The Man in the Moon premiere (Reese’s first film). “I was 11, and I can say I met my match [with Reese]. I can’t tell you how many times I’d call my agent about an audition and the agent would say, ‘Well, it’s between you and Reese.’ And then I always heard, ‘Well, Reese has the offer, but if she passes, it may come to you.’ So that’s been my life,” the actress joked.

Of course, Hudson also used her time on stage to get serious about her love for her long-time friend. “We share another passion, and that’s feminism. She’s self-made, self-sufficient, a beautiful mother of three, wife, artist, producer, entrepreneur. She’s a fighter for all young women to achieve similar goals, including myself. She’s the kind of cheerleader you want as a friend. She’s the kind of person that sends you flowers to remind you that your own success is everybody’s success.”

Jennifer Garner praised Witherspoon’s role as a mom, saying that she’s seen the star “be a lioness” on her kids’ behalf. “You are as in tune with [Ava, Deacon, and Tennessee] as the best of them, and I admire that greatly. I’ve always loved you as an actress, I’ve always loved you as a girl, and maybe some day, who knows, the right thing will come up, and I would happily play your sister from another mister!”

But it was perhaps Sofia Vergara, Witherspoon’s costar and producing partner on Hot Pursuit, who got the biggest laughs of the night. Vergara used the opportunity to talk about the promotional tour she went on with Witherspoon in Spanish-speaking media markets. “She spoke in Spanish on live TV with a very weird accent, but at least she was trying. [Still], it was embarrassing to me,” joked Vergara. “This multitalented, beautiful woman, with her little boy police uniform, became the only girl that I have ever made out with [in the movie]. I French-kissed Reesey Witherspoon. She has the best skin and the biggest butt of any white woman in Hollywood, and the most generous heart. You know it’s true, you said it to me. Reesey, I’m glad to be here as a fan and a friend. You deserve the world, all the happiness, all the blessings, all the Spanish lessons that you can take, and all the awards and praise for your success and leadership in this industry.”

Stay tuned for more major moments for our favorite leading ladies in Hollywood, as this Sunday marks the official start to awards season with the Hollywood Film Awards. I’ll be on the red carpet and inside The Beverly Hilton for the star-studded event, so follow along with me on social media here!