The 41-year-old actress - who was previously married to Brad Pitt - has been supporting her pal throughout her separation from David Arquette but is said to have been urging the couple to work through their difficulties rather than split for good.

An insider explained to gossip website PopEater: "Jen has known for some time that the couple were in trouble but hoped and prayed they would be able to work it out. No one knows how painful divorce is more than Jen and she hopes they don't rush into it without exhausting every possibility to say together.

"Goodness knows Courteney supported Jen during her break-up with Brad. Now it's Jen's turn to be supportive. After all, isn't that what a friend is for."

Jennifer Aniston smiles and carries a salad during a lunch break on her upcoming film "Wanderlust". She's wearing her hair up and looking thin

Meanwhile, those working alongside the couple on their upcoming movie 'Scream 4' have admitted relations between the two were strained throughout filming, but they put on a united front for the sake of their six-year-old daughter Coco.

Jennifer Aniston, decked out in a sexy short fringe dress and heels, meets and greets her fans after taping "the John Stewart show". and dining at "The Lion" restaurant in Greewich Village. .August 19, 2010.

A set source told People magazine: "It seemed like the worst-kept secret that things were weird between them. This was not an overnight thing. They needed to figure things out and try to find a happy place again."